Humble Beginnings

About Humble Beginnings

The CEOs and senior GovCon leaders of today weren't always sitting in the corner office. They weren't born in suits with a handbook for success and a direct path to leadership. In fact, before many of these executives came into positions of powers, they had rather humble beginnings -- no corporate family tree or unlimited access. Many had to find their way on their own with little to fall back on. This podcast will share the stories of high school part-time work, first jobs and early-career decisions, decades before the CEO appointments and the board memberships. We'll learn about the unconventional paths to success, the ones most of us can relate to.

Publisher

WashingtonExec

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Feb 2023

Latest episode

14 Jan 2026

Latest episodes

37 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Jan 2026

   Humbled Early, Grounded Always: Warren Kohm on Work Ethics, Loss & Leadership

   Warren Kohm didn’t grow up with a silver spoon — he grew up learning how to make things work, and how not to take anything for granted. In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we sit down with Warren, CEO of Aurex Defense, to trace the formative experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy, from growing up as the youngest of five in a modest Long Island home to leading a private equity–backed defense company. Raised by two teachers, Warren learned early the value of independence, d...

2. 

   6 Jan 2026

   No Glass Ceiling: Deb Alderson’s Journey from a Norfolk Farm to CEO and a Defining Comeback

   In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," we sit down with Deb Alderson, CEO of ViaPath Technologies, as she shares of her upbringing in Norfolk, Virginia; and how she'd later turn every challenge into an opportunity. Deb was raised by her mother and grandmother in a farming community near a military area, where she learned early lessons in hard work, giving back and breaking barriers. She was the first woman in her family to earn a college and graduate degree. From starting her career as a GS4...

3. 

   19 Aug 2025

   From Bombay, to Founder & CEO: Rohit Gupta's Journey to Leadership

   In this episode of "Humble Beginnings," host Amanda Ziadeh sits down with Rohit Gupta, CEO of Artem, as he shares his extraordinary journey leading a major GovCon company in the U.S. Before the executive title, before the acquisitions and AI strategies, Gupta's journey began in a one-bedroom apartment in Bombay — and a one-way ticket to the U.S. with just enough money to support him during his master’s degree program. Gupta discusses his upbringing in India, educational and career path that t...

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Apple Podcasts (US)

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1 ratings

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Books guests

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