I learned my biggest lessons in leadership from my daughter Riley, who passed away tragically at the age of nine. Riley was the kindest friend, and she felt the greatest joy from forging connections. She led through kindness and always celebrated her friends’ accomplishments to help them shine. To honor who Riley was and how she lived, my wife Mackenzie and I created Riley’s Way Foundation, which has provided over 3,500 young people across the U.S. with leadership development training that’s rooted in kindness and connection. I’m also the COO of global software investor Insight Partners, and from my work in both worlds with thousands of emerging Gen Z leaders, I’ve learned that investing in young people early with kind leadership works.
