About Steven Weiner:

Steven Weiner is the 11th President of Menlo College, where he leads a small, highly diverse business school in the heart of Silicon Valley. He brings a distinctive blend of experience from higher education, healthcare consulting, and entrepreneurship, having held senior roles at the University of Chicago, Science Applications International, and First Consulting Group, and co-founding an open-source medical software startup.

Since joining Menlo College in 2013, President Weiner has overseen a period of significant growth and recognition, including rankings in the top 16% of colleges nationwide (Forbes), “Best in the West” (Princeton Review), and among the most diverse colleges in America. Under his leadership, Menlo has launched its first graduate programs, transitioned to NCAA Division II, expanded student success and communication initiatives, and embarked on a $100M centennial capital campaign. He holds a B.S. from Northeastern University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.

In this episode, Kevin and Steven Weiner discuss:

• Navigating leadership in a diverse and evolving environment
• Why career paths are rarely linear
• Preparing students for the AI-driven future
• Bridging leadership between corporate and nonprofit sectors
• The role of passion and purpose in long-term leadership success

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership rarely follows a perfectly planned path. Careers often evolve through unexpected opportunities, and the willingness to adapt can turn uncertainty into growth.
• Technology may transform industries, but the most valuable skills remain deeply human—creativity, collaboration, and the ability to bring people together around shared goals.
• A meaningful leadership role isn’t defined by prestige or title. What matters far more is the opportunity to contribute, learn continuously, and help others grow along the way.
• Passion fuels leadership. Without genuine enthusiasm for the work, even the strongest leadership skills will struggle to create lasting impact.

"For me, it, it it really is the combination of realizing where I could contribute and what I could learn from it, where I could grow, that motivates me to be in leadership roles." – Steven Weiner

Connect with Steven Weiner:

Website: https://www.menlo.edu/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-weiner-7a20378/

Connect with Kevin Neal:

Website: https://drkdneal.com

Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0C47RZDSS

https://www.amazon.com/Guided-Greatness-Mentorship-Developing-professionals-ebook/dp/B0FGBH1VNS

Email: coachkd63@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachkd63