McKenzie Denton KO4GLN is a name to remember in both ham radio and leadership. A pre-med junior at Old Dominion University, McKenzie has already achieved what most only aspire to in a lifetime. Licensed during the pandemic, she has risen quickly to earn her Extra Class license, rejuvenate her university’s amateur radio club, and take on roles like Virginia Section Youth Coordinator for the ARRL—all while excelling as a student and aspiring physician. In this insightful conversation, McKenzie shares her unique journey into ham radio, sparked by a fascination with astronaut Owen Garriott’s historic space contacts. She describes how the hobby became a cornerstone of her development, offering her friendships, mentorship, and even opportunities to shadow in an emergency room—critical for her career path in medicine. McKenzie’s leadership extends beyond ham radio. She draws connections between the hobby and broader fields, from emergency preparedness to STEM education, while advocating for integrating amateur radio into schools and modern technology. Her closing statement is a call to action: to align the hobby with emerging frontiers like quantum computing and space exploration, ensuring ham radio remains relevant and transformative for generations to come. McKenzie’s passion and vision for the future are inspiring examples of how young leaders can shape the direction of ham radio and beyond. Let’s all follow her lead.