Leaders Of Tomorrow Podcast

In this end-of-year solo episode, Chris Thomson reflects on one of the most transformational chapters in the history of Student Works. From smashing revenue records to reinventing the company’s systems, 2025 marked massive progress for the team and set the stage for an even stronger 2026. Chris walks through the company’s growth, the evolution of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, breakthroughs in t...

This week, we’re sharing the first part of a recast of Chris Thomson’s powerful conversation on Paper Napkin Wisdom with host Govindh Jayaraman. In this second part of “Cancer Is a Journey,” Chris opens up about the next chapter of his cancer experience, from jaundice and hospitalization to finally receiving a confirmed diagnosis and beginning chemotherapy. What unfolds is a story not just of trea...

This week, we’re sharing the first part of a recast of Chris Thomson’s powerful conversation on Paper Napkin Wisdom with host Govindh Jayaraman. In this deeply personal episode, Chris opens up about his cancer journey, from the moment he was told he had a large mass on his liver and bile ducts, through the confusion of a terrifying working diagnosis, to the mindset and gratitude practices that hel...

What happens when success meets humility and life throws you the ultimate curveball? In this deeply personal conversation, Chris Thomson sits down with Jakob Graham, a three-year veteran of the Student Works Management Program and incoming coach, to unpack how entrepreneurship, ego, and family challenges shaped him into a grounded, mature leader. Jakob shares his journey from being a confident 21-...

This week, we’re sharing a recast of Chris Thomson’s feature on Canadians Leading With Impac t, where he sat down with Troy Treleaven and Kevin Robert Crone from Dale Carnegie Canada to talk about leadership, mindset, and building Canada’s next generation of entrepreneurs. Chris shares how he’s spent over three decades developing thousands of young Canadian entrepreneurs, turning ambitious student...

What happens when early success turns into your biggest obstacle? In this powerful conversation, Chris Thomson sits down with Colby Wilson , a Wilfrid Laurier business student and three-year Student Works Management Program veteran who’s now preparing to become a mini coach. After a strong rookie season and a complacent second year that nearly derailed his progress, Colby shares the turning point...

What happens when a lost university student decides to go all-in on himself? In this inspiring conversation, Chris Thomson sits down with James Ward , a three-year Student Works Management Program veteran and newly appointed full-time coach, who went from feeling directionless at Western University to becoming one of the top-performing young entrepreneurs in the country. James reveals how he overc...

What if the hardest job you ever had wasn’t laying bricks in the blazing sun, but learning how to lead people? In this powerful conversation, Chris Thomson sits down with Andrew Woodruff, a multi-year veteran of the Student Works Management Program, to unpack the staggering transformation he experienced while balancing Queen’s University engineering with running a business that exploded past $300K...

How can running a student painting business set you on the path to becoming a corporate lawyer at one of the top firms in Canada? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast, host Chris Thomson speaks with Elyse Ardiel, a Student Works Management Program alumna who went on to graduate from McGill, attended law school, started her legal career in New York, and returned to Toronto to become a...

How do you go from being a first-year student who’s unsure of what direction to take to running a $460,000 business while still in university and preparing to coach the next generation of entrepreneurs? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast, Chris Thomson speaks with Aris Lloshi, a veteran operator with the Student Works Management Program who is now stepping into a part-time coach ro...

What does it take to build and exit multiple eight-figure businesses, and what lessons carry through from a student painting summer to leading tech startups? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast, host Chris Thomson speaks with Dave Hanley, a Student Works Management Program alumnus who went on to co-found and scale several successful companies. Dave shares his journey from discoverin...

What happens when an average student with no clear direction takes a chance on running a business and discovers a passion for leadership and coaching? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast, Chris Thomson speaks with Paul Prevost, an amazing participant in the Student Works Management Program. Paul shares how his journey began with self-development books during the pandemic and quickly...

How do you go from running a student painting business to building and scaling global brands, launching innovative ventures, and investing in groundbreaking startups? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast, Chris Thomson reconnects with Josh Campbell, a proud alumnus of the Student Works Management Program. Josh shares his remarkable career journey, from his early days in private equit...

How do you transform self-doubt into leadership and uncertainty into confidence? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast, Chris Thomson speaks with Joanna Cao, who shares her inspiring journey through the Student Works Management Program. Joanna shares how stepping into real-world responsibility transformed her perspective, built her confidence, and gave her the tools to achieve things...

What does it take to go from running a Student Works summer management job at university to leading high-performing teams across industries? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson sits down with proud Student Works Management Program alumnus Bob Repovs, whose leadership journey began as a student entrepreneur and evolved into decades of executive experience. Bob shares h...

What happens when two siblings challenge themselves to grow as leaders together? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, host Chris Thomson sits down with Adriana and Cole Benoit, two exceptional student leaders who have thrived in the Student Works Management Program. What started as a summer job turned into a transformational journey of self-discovery, confidence, and leadership deve...

How do you go from being a shy, technically minded student to owning a wedding photography business that shoots over 250 events a year? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson speaks with Peter Bendevis, a Student Works Management Program alumnus whose story is a masterclass in personal transformation, entrepreneurial thinking, and taking bold risks early in life. Peter o...

What does it take to break through personal limitations and unlock your full leadership potential at a young age? In this inspiring episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast, Chris Thomson sits down with Justin Huschilt and Ben Marysiuk, two high-performing young leaders who are thriving in the Student Works Management Program. Both Justin and Ben reflect on their transformational journeys as ope...

What if a summer management job could become the foundation for a global career? In this inspiring episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson sits down with Dan Desmarais, a standout alumnus of the Student Works Management Program, who has gone on to build a thriving virtual company that serves some of the world’s largest retailers. Dan shares how his time with Student Works in 1989...

What does it take to grow from frustration and failure to focused leadership in just one year? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson is joined by Louis Boivin and Joey Vari, two student entrepreneurs in the Student Works Management Program, who return for a second season with a powerful story of personal growth and business transformation. Louis and Joey share how their...

What happens when two young entrepreneurs commit to becoming the best versions of themselves through structure, humility, and relentless effort? In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson sits down with Zach Weiler and Vincent D’Angelo, two returning operators in the Student Works Management Program. They reflect on their journeys from chaotic first seasons to running high-p...

How does a student entrepreneur evolve into a global executive leading billion-dollar projects? Jason Haelzle shares the mindset and milestones behind his rise from Student Works to the world stage. In this episode of the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson sits down with Jason—now Principal and Vice President at GHD—to explore how he balanced academics, competitive hockey, and running a St...

In this episode of Leaders of Tomorrow podcast, Chris Thomson chats with Ben Dorey, a standout participant in the Student Works Management Program. Ben reflects on his remarkable journey of growth and discovery, sharing his early struggles and the lessons he learned in the program. From juggling the pressures of team management to overcoming personal habits and embracing delayed gratification, Ben...

How do you go from painting homes as a student to becoming a top-producing real estate professional clients trust for life? In this episode of Leaders of Tomorrow, Chris Thomson sits down with Greg Kuchma, a successful real estate broker whose entrepreneurial journey started with the Student Works Management Program. Greg shares how he built confidence through hands-on leadership, developed strong...

What if your biggest missteps turned out to be the foundation of your success story? In this powerful episode, Chris Thomson has an inspiring conversation with Joe MacLean, a successful finance professional and lifelong learner. Joe reflects on the pivotal role that the Student Works Management Program played in shaping his mindset and career—pushing him to take risks, own his blind spots, and lea...