Practical Tools to Help You and Your Team Grow

I fled a civil war in Ethiopia as a child and spent three years in a refugee camp before my family was resettled in the United States. Language barriers, financial struggles, and the loss of my brother created obstacle after obstacle. But with the help of educators, mentors, and a few practical tools that I still teach today, I found my footing and eventually earned a scholarship to Harvard — where I gave the commencement address to 30,000 people at my own graduation.

That season of growth set the course for everything that followed. For the past 25 years, I've dedicated my life to helping people unlock their potential, just as others once helped me. I've spoken to more than a million people and written 12 books that have sold over a million copies.

I also founded Mawi Learning, a pioneering EdTech company that delivered online leadership courses to millions of students. We won the CODiE Award for innovation, earned the highest CASEL efficacy designation, and in 2019, I led the successful acquisition of Mawi Learning by ACT.

Today, I write Find Your Sunlight, a free newsletter about practical habits that help us manage our energy, build resilience, and keep growing — at work and at home.

I speak to organizations around the world on energy and resilience, leadership in uncertain times, and personal agency and growth. If your team could use a boost, I'd love to hear from you.

My passion is simple: I want to help people grow. Whether you are looking for tools in your inbox, a book to read, or a keynote speaker for your team — let's connect!