From Problems to Possibilities: Entrepreneurial Leadership in Action

Babson College
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Monthly

A fast-changing and unpredictable world demands leaders with this visionary mindset to navigate complexity and seize opportunities. Welcome to From Problems to Possibilities: Entrepreneurial Leadership in Action Presented by Babson College.Join us each episode as we spotlight inspiring entrepreneurial leaders and innovators from the Babson community and beyond. They’re shaping tomorrow’s world by addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges—like improving healthcare access, advancing sustainability, transforming media representation, and much more.Discover stories that will inspire and empower you—and maybe even spark your next big idea.

  1. May 11

    When Hustle Starts to Hurt

    What happens when the same relentless drive that fuels success begins to quietly unravel the person behind it? Emmy-and Grammy-winning film editor Sammy Dane ’15 reveals how entrepreneurial leadership isn’t just about building a career, it’s about navigating obsession, burnout, and the courage to reset. From walking 5 miles home in tears at dawn to trusting his instincts over security, Dane’s story reframes ambition as both a strength and a risk. In the end, leadership isn’t just about shaping stories on screen, it’s about learning when to rewrite your own. Show Notes Sammy Dane’s Website: https://sammydane.com/ Sammy Dane’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammy-dane-58740423/ Babson Thought and Leadership, “Inspiring Viewers to Take Action through Film” https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/filming-with-sammy-dane/ Babson Magazine, “The Enduring Impact of Babson’s Posse Scholars” https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/impact-of-babson-posse/ The First Wave - Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZR2VltfBSg, courtesy National Geographic American Symphony - Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKSMsdq8ONs, courtesy Netflix

    14 min

  2. Mar 30

    Why Health Care Needs Entrepreneurial Leaders Now

    What if the single most important reform in American health care has nothing to do with policy, technology, or funding and everything to do with how we train leaders to think like entrepreneurs? Dr. Errol Norwitz, executive director of the Kerry Murphy Healy Center for Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Babson College, makes a bold and urgent case that the people who understand health care's problems best, frontline providers, already hold the solutions, but lack the entrepreneurial mindset and permission to act on them. In this episode, Norwitz challenges the next generation of health care leaders to stop stumbling into the field by accident, and instead choose it early, question everything they're taught, and build the courage to drive change from the inside out. Show Notes Dr. Norwitz’s Linkedin bio https://www.linkedin.com/in/errolnorwitz/ Poets and Quants: “Why Healthcare needs Entrepreneurs To Fix a Broken System” https://poetsandquants.com/2025/12/29/the-pq-interview-babsons-errol-norwitz-on-why-healthcare-needs-entrepreneurs-to-fix-a-broken-system/ Babson Thought & Action: Dr. Errol Norwitz Named New Executive Director of the Kerry Murphy Healy Center for Health Innovation and Entrepreneurshiphttps://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/errol-norwitz-kmh-center/ Babson Thought & Action: A Doctor and Entrepreneur Reflects on His New Role at Babson https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/doctor-and-entrepreneur/ About the Kerry Murphy Healey Center for Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship https://www.babson.edu/healthcare-entrepreneurship-center/

    15 min

  3. Feb 23

    If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit, Build It

    When the market ignores customers, what does it take for an entrepreneurial leader to fill the void? Babson College student Jolie Wyatt ’26 was tired of being overlooked and is now on a mission to change footwear for millions of women. In this episode, Wyatt shares how she launched If The Shoe Fits, a tech-driven startup designing custom footwear addressing the lack of options for women’s sizes, such as the size 12 she wears. Jolie explains how entrepreneurial leadership, vulnerability, and resilience helped her transform a personal frustration into a scalable business. From leading student government at Babson to navigating chronic illness, Wyatt shows how bold, mission-driven entrepreneurship can create impact beyond profit. Show Notes Jolie Wyatt BIO https://www.linkedin.com/in/joliewyatt/ Jolie’s Story https://iftheshoefits.co/pages/our-story If The Shoe Fits https://iftheshoefits.co/ Babson Thought & Action: “From Acceptance to Leadership: The Personal Journey of Babson’s SGA President” https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/sga-president/ Babson Thought & Action: “Babson Entrepreneurs Lead the Way on BostInno’s 25 Under 25 List” https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/bostinno-25-under-25-2/

    16 min

  4. Jan 20

    How Can Colleges and Universities Lead in Health and Wellness?

    Student well-being has moved from the margins to the center of higher education, and for good reason. Today’s students are feeling the squeeze of unprecedented pressure, heightened security concerns, and the nonstop anxiety of our times. In this episode, we unpack how colleges are adapting, with two innovative national leaders on campus well-being: Ryan Travia, Ed.D., Associate Vice President for Student Success at Babson College, and Dr. Thad Mantaro, Dean of Student Health and Wellness at Dallas College. Though their schools serve students in different regions and different socio-economic backgrounds, their work reveals a common road map for what’s working, what’s falling short, and what students truly need to thrive in our times. Show Notes Ryan Travia: https://www.babson.edu/health-and-wellness/meet-the-staff/ryan-travia/ Thad Mantaro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-thaddeus-mantaro-7435728/ Ryan Travia and Thad Mantaro’s book, “Well-Being Leadership in Higher Education” https://www.naspa.org/book/well-being-leadership-in-higher-education-a-guide-for-successful-well-being-programs Babson Thought & Action: “Leading the Way: Babson Wellness Chief Elevates Well-Being Priorities in Higher Education: https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/well-being-in-higher-education/ Babson College Health and Wellbeing: https://www.babson.edu/undergraduate/student-life/mental-health-and-wellbeing/\ Dallas College: Student Well-being and Health Promotion: https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/health-centers/health-promotion/ Dallas College: Eight Dimensions of Wellness: https://www.dallascollege.edu/resources/health-centers/health-promotion/wellness/

    15 min

  5. 12/15/2025

    Shark Tank’s Biggest Miss: Ring’s Jamie Siminoff

    What happens when passion becomes both the greatest gift and the biggest risk for an entrepreneurial leader? For Jamie Siminoff ’99, H’21, the founder of Ring, his passion was undeniable as he pursued his dream. But after failing to secure an investor on Shark Tank, Siminoff faced rejection and self-doubt and then a moment of self-reflection. In this episode, we revisit his journey, from Babson College to Shark Tank to now as a co-author of "Ding Dong: How Ring Went From Shark Tank Reject To Everyone's Front Door." Siminoff’s journey carries the emotional weight of leadership, and reflects how he balanced bold vision with humility and reminds every entrepreneurial leader that innovation thrives not on perfection, but on the courage to fall, rebuild, and rise again, ultimately leading to his billion-dollar breakthrough. Show Notes Jamie’s appearance on Shark Tank https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um-iVXiXedc Babson Magazine: The Biggest Miss in “Shark Tank” History: Ring Founder Jamie Siminoff ’99, H’21 Looks Back https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/ring-on-shark-tank/ Babson Magazine: Shaq, a Snowstorm Ride, and Other Entrepreneurial Tales from Ring Founder Jamie Siminoff ’99, H’21 https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/entrepreneurial-tales-from-jamie-siminoff/ Babson Magazine: Meet the Babson Names Behind Your Favorite “Shark Tank” Products https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/babson-shark-tank-products/ Fortune: Ring’s founder went from shoveling horse stalls to selling to Amazon for $1.15 billion and says work-life balance is a myth https://fortune.com/2025/11/10/ring-founder-jamie-siminoff-hustle-success-story-no-work-life-balance-sold-to-amazon-billion-dollar-company/ Inc.: How Ring’s Jamie Siminoff Navigated Failure to Achieve Great Success https://www.inc.com/video/how-rings-jamie-siminoff-navigated-failure-to-achieve-great-success.html

    14 min

  6. 11/17/2025

    Food Insecurity, Nutrition, and the Power of Leadership

    What if ending hunger took the same entrepreneurial leadership as launching a startup? That’s exactly how Jeni Wheeler MBA’05 tackled food insecurity. Drawing on her Babson-trained mindset and personal hardship, Wheeler founded the Family Table Collaborative—now feeding thousands across Cape Cod. In this episode, hear how she used business modeling and social entrepreneurship to turn crisis into opportunity, creating a sustainable system that rescues food and nourishes families in need. Wheeler’s story shows that entrepreneurial thinking isn’t just for profit—it’s also for purpose, transforming how we confront today’s most pressing social challenges. Show Notes Profile of Jeni Wheeler: https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/jeni-wheeler-cape-cod/ Family Table Collaborative: https://www.familytablecollaborative.org/ Donate to the Family Table Collaborative: https://www.familytablecollaborative.org/donate Volunteer for the Family Table Collaborative: https://www.familytablecollaborative.org/getinvolved Profile in Cape Cod Culinary Incubator: https://capeculinary.org/aprils-foodie-interview-jeni-wheeler/ Profile in Edible Cape Cod: https://ediblecapecod.ediblecommunities.com/food-thought/food-thought-where-food-and-faith-meet/ Video Q&A with Atwood Museum- Chatham Historical Society: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwkmu08vakk

    17 min

  7. 10/21/2025

    How Do You Assemble a Winning Team?

    What if talent isn’t enough to win? And what if entrepreneurial leadership is the key—by asking, how can we align individual strengths to create a team that truly performs together? In this episode, Babson College hockey coach Jamie Rice '90 fosters a culture of ownership that mirrors the entrepreneurial mindset. Hockey offers a unique lens on entrepreneurial leadership, showing that success comes not only from preparation and skill, but also from the ability to read shifting dynamics and empower individuals in real time. Rice's approach transforms both student-athletes and leaders, showing that great teams, like great ventures, are built on people who trust, learn, and grow together. Ultimately, Rice challenges the idea that leadership belongs only to star players or those with titles. Role players, bench leaders, and unsung contributors can have as much influence on outcomes as captains or CEOs. By recognizing and empowering these voices, entrepreneurial leaders- whether on the rink, in the classroom, or in the boardroom- can build winning teams that thrive under pressure, adapt to change, and achieve more than the sum of their parts. SHOW NOTES Jamie's Bio: https://babsonathletics.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/roster/coaches/jamie-rice-90/529 From Babson Magazine: ‘More than Hockey’: Jake Thibeault and the Power of Brotherly Bonds From Babson Thought & Action: A Head Coach, a Backup Goalie, and the Inspiring Story of a Gift

    17 min

  8. 09/25/2025

    An Audacious Plan to Fix Foster Care

    What if the foster care system wasn’t broken beyond repair, but simply waiting for entrepreneurial leadership to reimagine it? In this episode, Sandra Bravo MBA’87, an associate professor of practice at Babson College, shares her bold 440K Project, designed to bring the number of children in foster care from 440,000 down to zero. Host Kara Baskin explores how Bravo’s approach breaks a massive challenge into actionable solutions, such as technology, adoption campaigns, and community partnerships. Together, they uncover how visionaries turn impossible problems into possibilities. SHOW NOTES Sandy’s Bio: https://www.babson.edu/about/our-leaders-and-scholars/faculty-and-academic-divisions/faculty-profiles/sandra-bravo.php Babson Magazine Profile: “Fighting for Those Too Often Forgotten” by John Crawford, Babson Magazine, Summer 2023 Sandy’s TEDx Talks:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9pGl1Lrd90 Sandy appears on “Exceptional Women” podcast: https://www.audacy.com/podcast/exceptional-women-1556e/episodes/sandy-bravo-on-exceptional-women-55602 440K Project- https://440kproject.org/

    18 min
See All (15)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A fast-changing and unpredictable world demands leaders with this visionary mindset to navigate complexity and seize opportunities. Welcome to From Problems to Possibilities: Entrepreneurial Leadership in Action Presented by Babson College.Join us each episode as we spotlight inspiring entrepreneurial leaders and innovators from the Babson community and beyond. They’re shaping tomorrow’s world by addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges—like improving healthcare access, advancing sustainability, transforming media representation, and much more.Discover stories that will inspire and empower you—and maybe even spark your next big idea.

Information

You Might Also Like