Dare to Disrupt

Patrick Kinney, CEO of Keystone Agency Partners, shares his remarkable journey from hitchhiking to Penn State Hazleton without a dollar to his name to leading transformative growth in the insurance industry. What began as a determined search for any job—despite not even knowing what insurance was—turned into a 30+ year career at Travelers, where he rose to Executive Vice President and developed a product that generated $5 billion for the company. Growing up in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Patrick built his career on resilience, resourcefulness, and a deep commitment to people-centered leadership. In this episode, he reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his path, including a life-changing job interview that set everything in motion. After retiring from Travelers, Patrick entered an entirely new chapter—stepping into the startup world as CEO of Keystone Agency Partners. He shares what it’s like to transition from a large corporate environment to a high-growth, entrepreneurial company, and the guiding principles he’s carried with him along the way. Later in the episode, current Penn State student Arnav Aggarwal joins the conversation. Arnav is a freshman at Penn State in the BS/MD accelerated medicine program. With mentorship from Happy Valley LaunchBox, Arnav is developing Campus Cabs, a student-run mobility solution aiming to provide safer, more affordable campus transportation. Arnav and Patrick discuss how Patrick’s 22 guiding principles apply in practice, the insurance and liability considerations founders should keep in mind, the value of an MBA, and the advice Patrick would give his younger self. Episode Chapters 0:00 - 4:49 A challenging start in Kensington, PA 4:49 - 9:44 Patrick's mother convinces him to go to college, experience at Penn State Hazleton 9:44 - 11:15 Becoming a logistics major at Penn State University Park 11:15 - 20:18 A life-changing job interview with Travelers 20:18 - 24:17 Applying street smarts to the insurance industry 24:17 - 25:43 Putting pen to paper on 22 guiding principles as a reflection on his career 25:43 -29:57 Jumping into the startup world with Keystone Agency Partners post-retirement 29:57 - 34:56 How Keystone Agency Partners is disrupting the insurance industry 34:56 - 37:07 Rapid Fire Round 37:07 - 50:38 Student Section 37:56 - 40:50 Adopting a strategic mindset as a founder 40:50 - 43:41 Insurance risks to consider for Arnav's startup 43:41 - 46:13 Proving a concept in a way that attracts long-term partners 46:13 - 47:50 The value of an MBA 47:50 - 50:38 Advice for Patrick's younger self About Patrick Kinney Patrick Kinney is the CEO of Keystone Agency Partners, the nation’s first broker network Patrick graduated from the Penn State Smeal College of Business with a bachelor’s in business logistics, and received his MBA in finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. About Arnav Aggarwal Arnav Aggarwal is a freshman at Penn State in the BS/MD accelerated medicine program. He is the founder of CareForAll, a nonprofit that mobilizes doctors across India to deliver free healthcare to underserved communities. During high school, he also launched LendingLibrary, a B2B platform now deployed nationwide, coordinating book exchanges within gated communities across India. More recently at Penn State, with mentorship from Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank, Arnav is developing Campus Cabs, a student-run mobility solution aiming to provide safer, more affordable campus transportation. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Jackie Foor is the Executive Director of the Consortium for Public Education, a nonprofit that connects schools with partners and resources to help students prepare for their futures. In this episode, Jackie shares what it takes to run a successful and impactful nonprofit, reflects on how the collapse of the steel industry shaped the Pittsburgh region, and discusses the growing role of AI in education. She also explains how the consortium works to bridge the gap between what students learn in school and the skills they need to succeed in the workforce and in postsecondary education. Later in the episode, recent Penn State graduate student Edward Amoah joins the conversation. Edward recently earned his doctorate in ecology with a dual title in international agriculture and development and is currently a postdoctoral researcher and ICDS Rising Research Fellow. He is President of Nyansapo Labs, whose mission is to expand equitable access to targeted teaching and personalized learning through AI-enabled teaching and learning systems. Edward participated in the Invent Penn State NSF I-Corps short course program, won the Nittany AI Challenge, and participated in the Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE) program in the College of Engineering. Edward and Jackie discuss how the consortium goes about building relationships with workforce, as well as AI-adoption across schools and different industries. Episode Chapters: 0:00 - 4:50 Growing up in Pittsburgh during the collapse of the steel industry 4:50 - 5:58 Penn State experience 5:58 - 10:45 The importance of grant writing 10:45 - 15:07 The mission of the Consortium for Public Education 15:07 - 20:55 Bridging the gap between workforce and education 20:55 - 26:13 What it means to lead a nonprofit as a social entrepreneur 26:13 - 31:08 The future of education 31:08 - 32:05 Advice for someone wanting to start a nonprofit 32:05 - 33:57 Rapid Fire Segment 33:57 - 47:35 Student Questions 35:03 - 39:58 Building trusting relationships with workforce 39:58 - 45:33 How AI can and should be implemented into the classroom, augmenting the workplace 45:33 - 47:35 Re-inventing K-12 education with work-based learning opportunities About Jackie Foor Jackie Foor is the Executive Director of the Consortium for Public Education, a nonprofit that connects schools with partners and resources to help students prepare for their futures. Jackie graduated from Penn State with a bachelor’s in secondary education from the College of Education, and received her master's in organizational leadership from Carlow University. About Edward Amoah Edward recently earned his doctorate in ecology with a dual title in international agriculture and development and is currently a postdoctoral researcher and ICDS Rising Research Fellow. He is President of Nyansapo Labs, whose mission is to expand equitable access to targeted teaching and personalized learning through AI-enabled teaching and learning systems. Edward participated in the Invent Penn State NSF I-Corps short course program, won the Nittany AI Challenge, and participated in the Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE) program in the College of Engineering. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Dr. Nancy Satur is co-founder and medical director emerita of Curology, a skincare brand delivering personalized prescription treatments straight to customers’ doorsteps. Dr. Satur earned her undergraduate pre-medical degree from Penn State, and her medical degree at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. A board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Satur worked as a private practice dermatologist before becoming co-founder, medical director and dermatologist at Curology full-time.On this episode, Dr. Satur shares her experience growing up on a dairy farm in central PA, her path to becoming a dermatologist, and how she and her sons ended up building Curology, which has now served over 5.5 million patients nationwide.Later in the episode, current Penn State student Maya Anderson joins the conversation. Maya is a senior studying biotechnology in the Eberly College of Science. She is the founder and CEO of Vayla, a hair‑accessory brand engineered for durability, curl compatibility, and eco‑conscious materials. She won third place at the Happy Valley LaunchBox Pitch Fest and is currently a participant in the Happy Valley LaunchBox FastTrack Accelerator program.Episode Chapters:0:00 - 5:18 Growing up on the dairy farm eldest of 65:18 - 9:14 The rigorous 5-year Penn State - Jefferson College medical program experience9:14 - 12:48 Project USA, the ER, and working towards specializing in dermatology12:48 - 18:02 The launch of Curology18:02 - 21:46 Compounding prescription formulas in-house21:46 - 24:40 Expanding Curology's reach24:40 - 26:46 Rapid Fire Questions26:46 - 35:35 Student Questions27:27 - 28:37 Learning to delegate28:37 - 29:29 Startup finances29:29 - 31:24 Building customer trust31:24 - 32:45 Ensuring alignment across your team 32:45 - 33:46 Making decisions without all the answers33:46 - 35:20 Handling shifts in customer expectationsAbout Dr. Nancy SaturDr. Nancy Satur is co-founder and medical director emerita of Curology, a skincare brand delivering personalized prescription treatments straight to customers’ doorsteps. Dr. Satur earned her undergraduate pre-medical degree from Penn State, and her medical degree at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.About Maya AndersonMaya is a senior studying biotechnology in the Eberly College of Science. She is the founder and CEO of Vayla, a hair‑accessory brand engineered for durability, curl compatibility, and eco‑conscious materials. She won third place at the Happy Valley LaunchBox Pitch Fest and is currently a participant in the Happy Valley LaunchBox FastTrack Accelerator program. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Mike Karns is a Tony Award-winning theater producer and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Marathon Digital, Broadway's premiere social media agency, which creates content and cultivates communities for some of Broadway’s biggest shows, non-profit arts organizations, and live entertainment brands around the world, including Hamilton, Hadestown, The Outsiders, and more. In 2024, he also co-founded The Season, a new producing and marketing company, alongside Broadway marketing executive Steven Tartick.In this episode, Mike shares his path into Broadway production, his early work across a variety of theater-related roles, and how—through networking, timing, and persistence—he landed the opportunity to manage social media for Hamilton. He explains how that experience sparked the creation and growth of Marathon Digital, and reflects on building two innovative companies, producing award-winning theatre, and what the future holds for Broadway marketing and emerging artists.Later in the episode, current Penn State student Teagan Jai Boyd joins the conversation. Teagan is a third-year BFA Acting student who recently appeared in the Centre Stage production of Rhinoceros and is currently in rehearsal for The Glass Menagerie. A member of the Presidential Leadership Academy, she and Mike discuss the importance of community when building a startup, making difficult decisions, handling burnout, and how Penn State provides hands-on experiences that prepare students for careers in the arts.Episode Chapters:0:00 – 6:03 Growing up in Erie, developing a love for theatre6:03 – 12:33 Choosing Penn State, working theatre-adjacent internships12:33 – 18:58 Breaking into Broadway production with an informational interview 18:58 – 21:16 The Hamilton phenomenon21:16 - 26:38 Building Marathon Digital, the entrepreneurial nature of Broadway 26:38 - 31:51 Producing on Broadway, launching The Season 31:51- 33:30 Navigating AI in social media industry33:30 – 36:05 Rapid Fire Questions36:05 – 47:50 Student Questions36:05 – 37:35 The importance of community in building company culture 37:35 – 38:46 Refueling and staying organized 38:46 – 39:58 How Mike overcame his most difficult business decision39:58 – 42:47 Managing uncertainty and patience42:47 – 45:08 Incentivizing audiences to come see a Broadway show45:08 – 47:50 The value of the hands-on experiences at Penn State About Mike KarnsMike Karns is the founder and CEO of Marathon Digital, Broadway's premiere social media agency; co-founder of The Season; and a Tony Award-winning theater producer. He graduated from the Penn State College of Arts and Architecture in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Stage Management & Lighting Design.About Teagan Jai BoydTeagan is a third-year BFA Acting student who recently appeared in the Centre Stage production of Rhinoceros and is currently in rehearsal for The Glass Menagerie. She is also a member of the Presidential Leadership Academy. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Al Motley is the founder and CEO of Techademics, a technology company driving innovation in education, social impact philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector.In this episode, Al shares his journey from working at Penn State’s Center for Academic Computing as a student to leading an international tech company transforming the education and social impact sectors. With offices in Philadelphia, Buenos Aires, and Botswana, Techademics delivers digital solutions and strategic guidance to schools and nonprofits around the world—impacting hundreds of thousands of students, educators, and community leaders.Al discusses his path in education, how Techademics helps schools and nonprofits build effective tech infrastructure, what’s next for the edtech industry, and how mission-driven entrepreneurship can create lasting change.Episode Chapters0:00 - 5:20 Moving from school to school growing up5:20 - 10:26 Choosing Penn State and getting heavily involved as a student10:26 - 11:34 Knowing technology was the path for him11:34 - 12:57 Al's time with Mastery Charter School in Philadelphia to learn change management and scale12:57 - 18:40 The inspiration behind launching Techademics 18:40 - 22:57 Positioning schools to be successful in evolving technology landscape22:57 - 24:21 Advice for his younger self The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

This special live recording of the Invent Penn State Dare to Disrupt podcast, presented by Brandywine LaunchBox powered by Penn State, features CTDI founder and chairman Jerry Parsons.Jerry shares how he and his family launched CTDI from a garage-based startup and scaled it into a global leader in the communications, mobility, and consumer devices service industries.The conversation explores the early days of building CTDI, key moments of disruption and growth, and Jerry’s insights on leadership, innovation, and building a family-run business that thrives on the global stage.At the end of the recording, in-person attendees had the chance to ask Jerry their own questions during a live audience Q&A session.Episode Chapters2:12 Fishing, budding love for electronics growing up5:43 Choosing Penn State Brandywine, college experience10:06 First job out of college at DuPont11:30 Dad pitches Jerry on a small repair business14:12 Acquiring first customers17:07 Innovations and technological breakthroughs18:29 Expanding nationally19:52 Adapting to industry changes26:11 The importance of tech testing27:21 Family legacy and mentorship29:26 Company culture and values30:20 International expansion and growth35:21 Advice for future generations36:39 Rapid-fire questions38:11 Audience questions The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

In this episode of Dare to Disrupt, host Ryan Newman speaks with Robert Chisena, co-founder and CTO of Amplitude Vascular Systems (AVS). AVS is a medical device company focused on safely and effectively treating severely calcified arterial disease. Robert shares his journey from growing up on Long Island in a family of physicians, to discovering his passion for research and entrepreneurship at Penn State, to co-founding an innovative medical device startup.Robert reflects on formative experiences at Penn State, including joining the Schreyer Honors College, diving into biomedical engineering research, and participating in Invent Penn State’s first cohort of the Summer Founders Program. He then traces how his graduate work at the University of Michigan—collaborating closely with physicians—led to the development of AVS’s intravascular lithotripsy technology, a novel approach to restoring blood flow in hardened arteries.Along the way, Robert discusses the challenges of taking research from lab to market, securing venture capital, and convincing physicians of a new device’s safety and efficacy.Later in the episode, Penn State Ph.D. Candidate Marzia Momin joins the conversation. Marzia is working on a neuro-tech startup developing personalized, 3D-printed neural implants for neurological disorders, with applications in therapy and brain-computer interfaces. Marzia recently participated in both the Invent Penn State NSF I-Corps regional short course program and the NSF I-Corps National Teams program. She asks Robert about how to build the best startup team, raising funding as a research-based startup, and what advice he'd give to his younger self.This episode gives an inside look at the intersection of engineering, medicine, and entrepreneurship — and how Penn State alumni are driving innovation in healthcare.Episode Chapters1:30 No avoiding a medical-based career3:25 Choosing and navigating Penn State05:42 Exploring research as an undergrad at Penn State8:24 Launching first medical device startup at Penn State, Summer Founders Program11:54 Moving forward with startup through graduate school at Michigan14:43 Meeting co-founder, learning about the tech behind AVS16:07 The potential to create tremendous impact in cardiovascular disease treatment19:43 Translating and commercializing research out of a university20:49 Where AVS is today, looking to the future22:45 Rapid Fire Round24:27 Student Section25:13 Building the right startup team27:15 Filling in the blanks of business acumen28:04 Advice for securing early funding29:57 Navigating FDA regulations31:02 Advice for aspiring entrepreneursAbout Robert ChisenaRobert Chisena is the co-founder and CTO of AVS. He graduated from the Penn State College of Engineering with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with honors from the Penn State Schreyer Honors College. Robert went on to receive his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan.About Marzia MominMarzia Momin is a Ph.D. candidate in the Engineering Science and Mechanics Department at Penn State, specializing in neural engineering. She is working on a neuro-tech startup developing personalized, 3D-printed neural implants for neurological disorders, with applications in therapy and brain-computer interfaces. Marzia recently participated in both the Invent Penn State NSF I-Corps regional short course program and the NSF I-Corps National Teams program The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

AJ Bruno is the founder and CEO of QuotaPath, a leading sales compensation management platform that has secured significant investments, including a $41 million Series B. Serving roughly 1,000 customers, QuotaPath helps organizations align company goals with incentive plans to drive winning sales behaviors.Before QuotaPath, AJ co-founded TrendKite, which was acquired by Cision for $225 million in 2019. He also co-hosts Topline, a podcast on revenue growth and sales leadership.In this episode, AJ shares the stories behind launching TrendKite and QuotaPath, his passion for flying, and his perspective on integrating AI into workflows as a founder. He reflects on his days as a Penn State student, studying abroad in Italy, his first job at Meltwater, and how a terrible boss inspired him to start his first company.Later in the episode, recent Penn State grad Paul Allen joins the conversation. A participant in the Invent Penn State Summer Founders Program, Paul asks AJ for advice on raising venture capital, making first hires, and navigating the challenges of early-stage entrepreneurship.Episode Chapters02:13 - 07:06 Growing up in Pittsburgh, acting and flying07:06 - 12:17 Choosing Penn State, squash club, studying abroad12:17 - 15:38 First entrepreneurial venture at Penn State15:38 - 22:48 First job in sales, advice to students and parents22:48 - 29:15 Terrible boss as a catalyst for TrendKite29:15 - 33:02 The problem that inspired the launch of QuotaPath33:02 - 40:33 Navigating AI and future of QuotaPath40:33 - 43:51 The crazy story that led to AJ launching a podcast43:51 - 45:24 Rapid Fire Insights45:24 - 55:20 Recent student Paul Allen interviews AJAbout AJ BrunoAJ Bruno is founder and CEO of QuotaPath. He graduated from the Penn State Schreyer Honors College with a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Smeal College of Business in 2007.About Paul AllenPaul is a spring 2025 graduate of the Penn State College of Engineering. He completed the 2025 Invent Penn State Summer Founders Program with his startup, Reflex Technologies. Reflex is building a wearable electromyography (EMG) sensor that provides real-time muscle activation and fatigue insights to athletes and trainers. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Anne Pauley is a technical program manager at Google, implementing world-class manufacturing processes for the Google Pixel smartphone. In this episode, Anne shares her expansive experience in additive manufacturing, industrial art, and engineering design, as well as a mission to bring more diversity to the hands-on fabrication space.In this episode, Anne shares her journey from Penn State to leading innovative projects at Google. She discusses her dual interests in mechanical engineering and music technology, her experiences at Penn State, and her professional journey through various companies including Disney, Meta, and Google. Through her work creating massive art pieces with the Flaming Lotus Girls art collective and her personal art studio, Cognitive Flow Design, she aims to disrupt the industrial design industry. Toward the end of the episode, Penn State rising senior Irena Potochny joins the conversation. Irena and Anne discuss the challenges and opportunities for women in engineering, and Anne offers advice for future engineers.Episode Chapters0:00 - 3:58 Growing up in State College3:58 - 8:03 Pursuing engineering and music at Penn State8:03 - 9:09 Participating in the Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE) program at Penn State9:09 - 12:02 Understanding additive manufacturing12:02 - 13:17 Experience in the Blue Band13:17 - 16:47 Pursuing a Master's Degree at Penn State in mechanical engineering16:47 - 18:20 Building animatronics at Disney; learning about different types of companies18:20 - 19:26 Working at Meta's Reality Labs, becoming a technical program manager19:26 - 23:21 Innovating the Google Pixel phone, the complexities of designing consumer products23:21 - 24:12 Achieving sustainability in manufacturing through 3D printing24:12 - 29:39 Creating large-scale art installations for Burning Man with Flaming Lotus Girls29:39 - 31:17 Creating innovative light art projects through her studio Creative Flow Design31:17 - 40:08 Student section21:17 -34:38 More efficiently using recycled materials for art34:38 - 36:15 Advice for women entering the engineering field36:15 - 37:07 Selecting materials for art projects37:07 - 39:30 What classes Anne would want to come back to Penn State to takeAbout Anne PauleyAnne is a technical program manager at Google. Anne graduated from the Penn State Schreyer Honors College with dual bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering (College of Engineering) and music technology (College of Arts and Architecture) before pursuing a master’s degree with a focus on mechanical design, mechatronics and additive manufacturing. About Irena PotochnyIrena is a rising fourth-year materials science and engineering student with a minor in sustainability leadership. She is a past participant of the Idea TestLab program at Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank. Irena created an upcycled fashion show as a capstone project, and she is in the process of starting a small business to sell upcycled products. Post-graduation, she plans to pursue a master's degree in textile engineering. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Sean Griffey and Ryan Willumson are the co-founders of Industry Dive, a digital media company delivering business news and original analysis through targeted newsletters. Covering sectors like healthcare, energy, transportation, retail, and more, Industry Dive serves over 14 million North American users and partners with major clients including Amazon, Salesforce, Uber, IBM, and American Express. The company is known for producing some of the most respected journalism in the business world. In this episode, Sean and Ryan discuss how they met while working at FierceMarkets, a B2B e-media startup, and what inspired them to launch Industry Dive. They share how they bootstrapped the company, built a loyal audience, and grew the business to $100 million in revenue before its acquisition by Informa in September 2022. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Dare to Disrupt LIVE: Innovating the Future of EV Infrastructure brought together three Penn State alumni at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry's future. This live episode features an engaging discussion with Benjamin Birnbaum (Keyframe, Terawatt), Zander Isaacson (Xeal), and Diallo Powell (Stak Mobility) as they share insights on EV infrastructure, charging technology, and the role of innovation in accelerating adoption. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or EV enthusiast, this conversation offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from industry leaders driving the future of electric transportation. Benjamin Birnbaum is co-founder and partner at Keyframe, a New York City-based investment firm focused on the energy transition’s impact on industry. Prior to Keyframe, he founded Terawatt, an infrastructure developer, owner, and operator for large-scale EV charging. Terawatt has raised over $1 billion and provides fleet charging for companies like Pepsi and Waymo. Ben is a graduate of the Penn State Smeal College of Business. Diallo Powell is co-founder and CEO of Stak Mobility, which addresses urban mobility challenges with an automated vertical carousel system for vehicle storage and EV charging—combining smart software with space-saving infrastructure. Diallo graduated from the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts. Zander Isaacson is co-founder and CEO of Xeal, a technology-first EV charging company at the intersection of proptech, energy, and the Internet of Things. Xeal partners with more than 70 of the largest real estate companies nationwide. Zander, a Penn State Smeal College of Business graduate, is also our first-ever repeat guest on Dare to Disrupt. Together, Ben, Diallo, and Zander discuss the broader trends and challenges shaping the EV landscape, how their companies are uniquely tackling these issues, strategies for scaling and financing capital-intensive projects, and their predictions for the future of the industry. Episode Chapters 0:00 - 7:09 The EV industry landscape at large, building infrastructure 7:09 - 16:35 Fleet vs. consumer charging, offline charging, and urban charging 16:35 - 27:10 Scaling capital-intensive companies 27:10 - 36:38 The future of the EV industry 36:38 - 45:19 Advice for entrepreneurs entering this industry 45:19 - 50:33 Audience questions Dare to Disrupt is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Birgitt Boschitsch is the co-founder and CEO of spotLESS Materials, an advanced materials company and Penn State spinoff commercializing highly repellent anti-fouling coatings. In this episode, Birgitt shares how her passion for helping others through research led to her co-founding spotLESS Materials. She discusses her formative experiences, academic challenges, and the pivotal moments that shaped her career path, including her time at Princeton and her decision to pursue graduate studies at Penn State. She discusses the original inspiration behind the idea for a toilet coating that repels sticky waste, as well as the challenges of transitioning from lab work to startup life. She shares the importance of community support and the impact of media exposure on sales. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Sisters Cory Varona-Corniel and Nicol Varona Cancelmo are the cofounders of OCOA, providing clean, natural, curly haircare products. In this episode, Nicol and Cory share their inspiring journey from the Dominican Republic to the United States. They detail how they were able to overcome language barriers, build a community at Penn State Berks, and launch into each of their professional careers. They discuss their close bond as sisters, the influence of their family, and how their family roots in the Dominican Republic inspired not only the name but also the ingredients and mission behind OCOA. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Paul Suhey is the Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of Revel, where he drives the company’s mission to accelerate electric vehicle adoption in U.S. cities by focusing on fast-charging infrastructure. In this episode, Paul shares Revel's journey from its beginnings as an urban electric moped sharing startup to a company focused on building the EV charging infrastructure for the largest cities across the US. At the end of the episode, current Penn State student Michael Slesarevich joins the conversation. Michael is a first-year mechanical engineering student and the founder of Shade Shift, an electrically controlled variable tint film for vehicles. He recently participated in the Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank Idea TestLab, and is a member of the Penn State Car Club. Michael and Paul discuss overcoming the challenge of securing that first investment, as well as how Revel views would-be competitors as potential future customers. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Gary Brandeis is the CEO and Co-Founder of Scholar Hotels, a hotel ownership and management group with a focus on properties close to major college and university campuses. Gary acquired his first hotel in 2006 and has since been directly involved in the hospitality business as an investor, developer, and manager. Scholar Hotels made its State College debut in March 2017, when it opened the 165-room Hyatt Place State College. Since then, the group has expanded its State College properties to include the Scholar Hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott, the Residence Inn by Marriott, The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center, and, of course, The Nittany Lion Inn. Gary graduated from the Penn State Smeal College of Business with a degree in accounting. In this live episode recorded in the 1855 Lounge at The Nittany Lion Inn, Gary shares how his background in accounting prepared him for the real estate industry, the details of the Inn's renovation, as well as how he thinks about and manages risk. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Mario Ciabarra is the CEO and founder of Quantum Metric, a customer-centered digital analytics platform for today's leading enterprise organizations. Since its founding in 2015, Quantum Metric's approach to in-depth customer understanding has seen rapid adoption from Fortune 500 companies. The world's largest airline, telco, retailer, healthcare, bank, and more have adopted the Quantum Metric platform. In this episode, Mario shares valuable lessons on integrity and communication learned during his college years. He discusses launching and exiting his first startup in just 11 months, a success that allowed him to briefly retire and travel the world. Mario also explains how Quantum Metric enhances visibility into customer friction points for major industry leaders and how the company integrates generative AI into its solutions. Finally, he reflects on how he approaches building his legacy. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Deep is the co-founder and CEO of Enact Systems, a leading software platform revolutionizing the solar and energy storage industry. Deep co-founded Enact in 2014, driven by the vision of creating a scalable and impactful solar solution. Deep has led Enact through exponential growth, nearly quadrupling its staff and expanding its reach to over 35 countries. In this episode, Deep discusses his journey in building a North American subsidiary of CentroSolar, a German solar company, from the ground up. He also explains how Enact serves diverse customer segments by providing innovative software solutions that streamline the solar implementation process. Additionally, Deep shares his predictions for the future of alternative energy sources and how Enact plans to adapt to industry shifts and trends. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Peter Cocoziello is chairman, founder, and CEO of Advance Realty Investors, a company specializing in real estate development, construction, and property management. In this episode, Peter shares how he launched Advance with only $5,000, and then both entered and eventually dominated various real estate verticals in the northeast. He also discusses how the Penn State Cocoziello Institute of Real Estate Innovation is supporting cross-disciplinary collaboration, and what technological innovations mean for the future of the real estate industry. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Jason Warner is co-founder and CEO of poolside, a generative AI company building the world's most capable AI for software development & the applications to unlock the potential of developers. Prior to founding poolside, Jason was the Managing Director at Redpoint Ventures. He also served as the CTO at GitHub, where he was responsible for bringing products like GitHub Actions, Packages, Advanced Security, Connect, and Codespaces to market. In this episode, Jason discusses the business challenges and successes he experienced as GitHub's CTO and delves into the unique hurdles faced by a generative AI company. He also shares his philosophy on the future of AI and its potential impact on various aspects of our lives. The Dare to Disrupt podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.