For our 35th anniversary, we’ll be sharing the stories of 35 alumni showcasing the leaders they are today and how 21st Century Leaders inspired and impacted their journey. Alumni will represent the 3.5 decades since our founding in 1989 – the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. Take a read and be inspired!
35th Anniversary Alumni Spotlight
2010’s Decade
Name: Tony Nguyen
H.S. Grad Year: Class of 2017
High School: Fayette County High School
College: Georgia State University
Current Role: Engagement Financial Advisory Consultant, Deloitte
How has your career unfolded and how did participating in 21CL help prepare you for your next steps going to college, taking on a new leadership role in community/college and after?
21st Century Leaders transformed my understanding of leadership. The program exposed me to a variety of unique leadership styles and introduced me to many inspiring individuals. It played a pivotal role in allowing me to not only develop the leaders around me but also the leader within me.
What’s your memorable or ‘aha’ moment during your time at 21CL?
I cherish all my memories with everyone in 21CL, so this is a hard question. One memory I particularly enjoy recalling is when I met my now good friend and business partner, Jalen Polk, for the first time. Even though we had never met before, we ended up talking throughout the night and into the morning, until Mr. T came knocking on the door. My first night at 21CL was actually a sleepless one, haha.
Did 21CL assist you in developing a leadership style that makes you an effective leader? If so, how?
Absolutely. 21CL transformed the way I viewed leadership. During the Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI), there was a seminar where we brainstormed the creation of restaurants with one rule: to build on top of an idea rather than break it down. Every group’s restaurant was unique and extraordinary in its own way—some were underwater, some were in the air, and some were even in space. This exercise demonstrated the beauty of working together and that leadership acts as a catalyst to bring things to life that have not yet been born.
Why do you believe programs like 21CL are important? And what advice would you give to a current or future student?
I believe programs like 21st Century Leaders are important because they give students the opportunity to explore and cultivate their own version of leadership. My advice to a current or future student would be to grow acquainted with uncertainty and failure. Uncertainty is what gives life its beauty, and failure is what gives success its meaning. Fall forward and fall fast, because you will never meet a strong person with an easy past.
Share your inspiration!
