In this special episode, Eli Cahan (2019 cohort) and Willie Thompson (2022 cohort) speak with John Hennessy, co-founder and inaugural director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS). John imagines a world where the next generation will provide the leadership that is so desperately needed in all walks of life.

John shares the story behind the founding of Knight-Hennessy Scholars, providing insight into why a commitment to young people lies at the heart of his vision for change. He also discusses the importance of forging and nurturing strong relationships, including the role that Knight-Hennessy scholars play in building the culture of KHS.

Finally, John shares more about his life, recounting how a job as a grocery store bagger led him to meet the love of his life, and recounts a surprising conversation with the Dalai Lama. John also expresses his hopes for the future of Knight-Hennessy Scholars and for higher education as a whole.

Highlights from the episode

(3:56) John’s definition of leadership

(5:40) The inception of Knight-Hennessy Scholars and its aspirations

(8:48) Why young people matter

(10:54) The value of developing and maintaining strong relationships

(18:50) The importance of good leadership in 2026

(21:04) Rapid fire questions: people and adjectives

(23:48) John’s relationship with his wife

(28:32) Favorite Knight-Hennessy Scholars core memories

(31:56) Hopes for the future of Knight-Hennessy Scholars and education at large

In this episode, Sydney Hunt (2023 cohort) and Anson Zhou (2024 cohort) sit down with Tina Seelig, Executive Director of Knight-Hennessy Scholars and renowned author, who imagines a world where everyone feels empowered to bring their ideas to life. Tina reflects on her journey from a childhood spent on both coasts of the U.S., to earning a PhD in neuroscience and exploring careers in academia, entrepreneurship, multimedia, and writing. She shares insights from her new book, What I Wish I Knew About Luck, and discusses the difference between luck and fortune, the role of serendipity, and how intentionality and forgiveness open doors to opportunity.

Tina discusses finding balance through career pivots, the importance of reframing problems, and why Denning House is a crucible for luck and learning. She also celebrates becoming a grandmother, reveals her improbable dance marathon achievement, and tells stories about her beloved dog Coco. Sydney and Anson end the interview with a lightning round of questions and reflections on Tina’s impact on Knight-Hennessy Scholars and the scholar community.

Highlights from the episode

(2:54) Becoming a grandmother and the joys of grandparenting

(4:26) Unpacking the difference between luck and fortune

(8:15) The wind metaphor for embracing and navigating opportunities

(16:10) Key moments from Tina’s career journey

(27:17) Connecting the dots: Why trying new things is essential to growth

(33:52) How manifestation practices and writing to your future self can create lucky outcomes

(37:41) The value of “frame-storming” before problem-solving

In this episode, Eli Cahan (2019 cohort) sits down with Ileana Pirozzi (2018 cohort), who imagines a world where the quality of surgery can be democratized everywhere.

Ileana traces her journey from growing up in a family of tobacco farmers in southern Italy to attending a United World College in the Netherlands, and then Brown University in the United States. She reflects on how a tumor diagnosis during her freshman year drew her toward cancer research and, eventually, healthcare more broadly.

Ileana discusses her search for a problem worth dedicating herself to, and the courage it took to commit when the right opportunity appeared, even amid tremendous uncertainty. She speaks about how her time as a Knight-Hennessy scholar taught her patience and the value of sitting with the unknown. That willingness to embrace uncertainty, she shares, gave rise to a desire to connect more deeply with her fellow scholars, which she formalized into what is now a Knight-Hennessy Scholars tradition: Deep Dive.

Highlights from the episode

(2:22) From growing up in Italy to studying in the Netherlands

(6:40) How an early personal challenge shaped her commitment to healthcare democratization

(8:11) How a professor's trust and an unexpected poster led her to Stanford

(12:37) On the quest for a problem worth solving, and the courage to tackle it

(17:20) Grappling with the discomfort of making hard and necessary decisions

(20:07) How Knight-Hennessy Scholars taught her to embrace uncertainty

(22:43) Deep Dive: The tradition she started to help scholars connect with each other

(28:14) Favorite Knight-Hennessy Scholars core memories