Going Big! with Kevin Gentry Going Big with Governor Glenn Youngkin: From Basketball to the Boardroom to the Capitol
Jan 12, 2026
Glenn Youngkin, Virginia’s 74th governor and former business leader, reflects on leadership shaped by family, faith, and sports. He discusses mentors and teamwork from basketball to business. He explains the move from private equity to public service and practical approaches to education, public safety, and results-driven governance.
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College Taught Humility And Listening
- Hard work and humility were twin lessons from college where Youngkin balanced engineering and college basketball.
- At Harvard Business School he learned listening to peers mattered more than speaking, which reshaped his leadership approach.
From Ground Floor To Co-CEO At Carlyle
- Youngkin joined Carlyle early and rose to co-CEO over 25 years, learning value creation and execution.
- He emphasizes growth as opportunity, saying expanding organizations create jobs and unleash optimism.
Turn Business Skills Into Public Service
- If you see systems failing, translate business skills into public service by assessing issues, building teams, and executing comprehensive plans.
- Youngkin quit his dream job after praying and ran for governor to fix Virginia's post-pandemic decline.