Austin Johnson knew he would always work: at 14 the supermarket, in the kitchen of a local restaurant, cooking on the ocean, Europe and Michelin-star chefs. Gaining on-the-job experience, Chef Austin shares his journey to his own Michelin Star restaurant.
The 7th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Grandmaster John Buran talks about family - immigrants to America, Pennsylvania coal miners, Black Lung disease, living in Queens, Brooklyn Tech, NYU, banking experiences, and people who have contributed to his career.
Aaron Jungreis talks about the Kastner Train, bringing Jewish families to safety in 1944 and his own determination to achieve success. As founder and CEO of the award-winning Rosewood Realty Group, Jungreis attributed its growth and success to hard work!
Robert Grossman MD, CEO, NYU Langone Health, dean of the NYU School of Medicine, talks about growing up poor, working, and the positive effects of "hard-times" on him and his career. Grossman highlights NYU Langone Health's growth in NYC, Brooklyn and LI.
At 9, Bess saw Bella Abzug on stage, calling the event life changing. As a state prosecutor, she saw power and love help people with no voice. Freedman as CEO, has grown Brown Harris Stevens into one of the largest private real estate companies in the US.
Henry Meer's father and grandfather were good cooks but Henry Meer wanted to be a chef! A dream come true, Mr. Meer served - for 18 years - as sous-chef at La Côte Basque and Lutèce - two of New York's elegantly beautiful and best known French restaurants. Meer's story continues as owner/operator of the Cub Room, City Hall, and now, the Pure Liquid Wine & Spirits shop.
"..they had a passion for education," is Dr. Fritz François' description of his parents, Haitian immigrants, and how an education was provided. Dr François with an NYU team, went to Haiti with medical assistance after the devastating earthquake in 2011.
Bishop Victor Allen Brown, World Council of Independent Christian Churches and Senior Pastor of Mt. Sinai United Christian Church describes his calling to the ministry at 12, and his work, as a volunteer with the NYPD Clergy Police Liaison Program.
Ed Brown wanted to cook-to be a chef, to work in food services! Growing up, he worked in a luncheonette-went to CIA-to Paris- and was awarded Michelin Stars. Brown discusses good and bad of his own business and his relationship with Restaurant Associates.
A child of holocaust survivors, Jack Kliger, with his mother's photo, taken at 14 in the Budapest ghetto, and his daughter's Bas Mitzvah picture, discusses the vast differences in their lives, and his personal commitment to the Museum of Jewish Heritage
His family history made it almost certain that Robert CJ Krasner would be a physician. How does a doctor on the Berry Plan get posted to Ethiopia, Sardinia, England, Panama, attain the rank of Rear Admiral and serve as Attending Physician to Congress?
Judith Kelman, well-known mystery novelist, happy to explore the "what-if" of life, discusses becoming a writer and how "Prime Evil" was born. Kelman founded a remarkable program at Sloan Kettering, pairing patients who want to write with authors/mentors.
In 1880, three brothers hopped a freighter in Sicily-landing in Texas. Hard work, good fortune enabled Scardino's father to study medicine. Curiosity, love of learning-and science helped Peter Scardino, MD specialize in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Child of 3rd-4th generation German Jews, Michael Strauss shares his family's escape to Palestine in 1935; the difficulty living in Haifa; America in 1956, delivering groceries, bussing, CCNY-Baruch, American Express, Yeshiva University; the story goes on.
Stratis Morfogen, restaurateur, entrepreneur, author, talks about his family from a "little village in Sparta," opening their first restaurant, Pappas, on 14th Street. Pappas remained open from 1910-1975, the start of the Morfogen restaurant dynasty.
Stephen Siegel is known for deal-making and for philanthropic generosity. Born in the Bronx, Siegel graduated from Monroe HS at 15, worked as a real estate broker at 17, becoming chair and CEO at 37. Cushman & Wakefield, ESG, CBRE-peaks in Siegel's career
Nadir Settles grew up in the Bronx, part of a large family, with aunts or older cousins to help out when his mother worked long hors. A St. John's and Villanova graduate, Settles discusses INROADS professional pipeline program and its effect on his career
Following his father's rule never to work for someone else but to create his own business, Vernon W. Hill, II. built banks from scratch, adapting a retail, value-added, service model of customer satisfaction, loyal to his brand - not just another old bank
Advised to slow down, Noam Wasserman recognized that it's more important to do things right than fast. This guidance contributed to academic achievements and to success in business. Author of 2 books, Wasserman is dean at Yeshiva University.
Clark Gillies, in the #9 jersey, talks about playing for the NY Islanders, the rivalry between the home team and the Rangers, the Stanley Cup, the Hockey Hall of Fame and founding the Clark Gillies Foundation, to help children through difficult times.