In this episode, Eli Cahan (’19 cohort) speaks with Rex Woodbury (’19 cohort) who imagines a world where technology and startups are a force for good.

Rex reflects on his decision to leave the world of investment to attend business school and on how he began sharing his ideas on social media. He discusses how writing on Substack helped him pivot from private equity to venture capital, where he now supports early-stage founders as they develop their ideas. Rex believes technology can have a positive impact on society, and he describes how this work has given him a sense of meaning and purpose. He explains how Knight-Hennessy expanded his understanding of impact, situating impact entrepreneurship within broader structural issues. The episode concludes with Rex sharing his favorite memories from his time at Stanford and offering thoughtful advice to prospective students.

Highlights from the episode

(3:21) Deciding to leave TPG and come back to school

(7:54) A typical day in an investing career

(12:10) Daybreak Ventures and how he got there

(18:30) On sharing his ideas with the world

(27:58) How does social media influencing fit in?

(29:53) Knight-Hennessy Scholars changing his understanding of impact

(35:33) Favorite Knight-Hennessy Scholars memories

(39:45) Advice for prospective applicants

In this episode, Max Du (’24 cohort) speaks with Barkotel Zememu (’24 cohort) who imagines a world where the mysteries of the physical universe are mysteries not just to those who are detectives but also to those who are not. Barkotel, who is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is pursuing a PhD in physics at Stanford. In this episode, Barkotel shares his journey from Addis Ababa to Stanford, discussing his first experience of the world beyond Ethiopia and his adaptation to new cultural contexts. He addresses the importance of cultivating deep and authentic relationships, and how writing became a valuable tool for reconnecting with himself. Barkotel also explores the role of community in life, his reflections on the role of chance in shaping our destinies, and his fascination with dark matter and the curiosity that fuels his physics studies. He concludes by offering insightful advice to prospective students.

Highlights from this episode:

(2:33) Journey from Addis Ababa to Stanford

(3:54) Experiencing the world outside Ethiopia for the first time

(7:49) Noticing and navigating cultural differences

(14:28) Cultivating meaningful and vulnerable relationships

(18:45) Journaling as a way to connect with oneself

(27:28) Going through life in community with others

(29:47) Reflecting on the randomness of life

(33:19) What is dark matter?

(42:05) Bringing unrelenting curiosity to the study of physics

(48:44) Humanizing the scholar experience

(53:30) Advice for prospective applicants

In this episode, Eli Cahan (’19 cohort) speaks with Ayo Dada (’19 cohort) who imagines a world where education is accessible to everyone regardless of any aspect of their identity. Ayo shares his journey from Nigeria to Stanford—an unexpected path set in motion by a single email—and reflects on how discovering Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset shaped his academic trajectory. He discusses his early steps after studying psychology at the University of Lagos, his PhD research on psychologically wise interventions, and his current postdoctoral work focused on expanding opportunities for girls in underserved regions. Ayo also reflects on how the Knight-Hennessy Scholars community broadened his perspective, the skills he gained through the program, and the global experiences that continue to inform his commitment to education as a collaborative, empowering process.

Highlights from this episode:

(2:08) Introduction

(2:48) Recounting the journey from Nigeria to Stanford and how one email changed everything

(4:38) Reflecting on the influence of Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset

(6:22) Exploring his path after studying psychology at the University of Lagos

(7:58) Describing his current postdoctoral work expanding opportunities for girls in underserved regions

(9:05) Discussing his PhD research on psychologically wise interventions

(14:02) Reframing education as a collaborative process

(19:54) How Knight-Hennessy Scholars complemented his experience at Stanford

(25:13) Identifying the main skill he gained from Knight-Hennessy Scholars

(27:15) Takeaways from his Global Travel/Study program trip to Norway

(30:00) Highlights from the Global Leadership Program

(33:10) Remembering favorite Knight-Hennessy Scholars traditions