The Mindset That Helps Young People Succeed - J.D. LaRock - S5 - E10

Podcast

A Founder's Life:

Balancing Entrepreneurship, Family, Health, & Fun

Podcast

A Founder's Life:

Balancing Entrepreneurship, Family, Health, & Fun

The Mindset That Helps Young People Succeed - J.D. LaRock - S5 - E10

In this episode, J.D. LaRock, President & CEO of NFTE, shares how entrepreneurship education transforms young people from underserved communities, why confidence is often the biggest barrier to success, and how mindset development carries far beyond business ownership. We also talk about family, health, balance, and the pivotal mentors who change lives.

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Guest Info

Dr. J.D. LaRock is President and CEO of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), where he has led a transformation in the organization’s impact, visibility, and global reach. Under his leadership, NFTE has doubled its U.S. student reach from 30,000 to over 60,000 annually, expanded from 8 to more than 30 countries, and launched new programs including Start It Up (for postsecondary students), Exploring Careers (for middle school students), and an AI-focused curriculum for the homeschool market.

J.D. also founded the Coalition of Entrepreneurship Education Organizations and has testified before Congress to advocate for entrepreneurship education as a key strategy for economic mobility. He spearheaded an affiliation with American Student Assistance (ASA) and the creation of a temporary NFTE exhibit at the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream in Washington, DC.

A former senior advisor to Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, J.D. has held executive roles in workforce development and higher education. His work and NFTE’s programs have been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Vanity Fair, People, Inc., CNBC and at the World Economic Forum.

He holds degrees from Harvard and Georgetown and teaches in the Doctor of Law and Policy program at Northeastern University.