We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kristina Duffy Hochman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kristina, appreciate you joining us today. Who is your hero and why? What lessons have you learned from them and how have they influenced your journey?

One of my heroes is my dad, Rick Duffy, who has been a guiding light for me in both business and everyday life. Four years ago, I took a leap of faith, leaving my role at Estée Lauder Companies to join our family business, the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC), in a completely different space—education. The transition was daunting, but I’ve never looked back. Working alongside my dad and learning from him has been invaluable, and I credit him for my work ethic and my understanding of how to be a business leader.

One of his greatest lessons is to lead with integrity and authenticity. Early in his career, my dad worked for a successful education company that was eventually acquired. He found himself at odds with the new management team, as it prioritized profits over principles. He decided to walk away instead of compromising on his values. He then took a much more difficult path and started his own competing company. Watching him make that decision showed me that success is not just about financial gains but about staying true to your beliefs, even when doing so creates some challenges.

My dad also demonstrated incredible faith in himself and a willingness to take risks. When he started his business, he had three young kids at home and was the sole earner for our family. It was a huge gamble, but he and my mom believed it was the right path forward. Their courage paid off—15 years later, he sold the company and had a very successful exit. He later purchased the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC), further shaping his legacy in education. His story has constantly reminded me that the most meaningful growth sometimes comes from confidently stepping into the unknown.

Beyond his professional achievements, my dad always prioritized work-life balance. Despite his demanding career, he never missed my violin recitals or ballet performances. He taught me that life is short and joy and connection should never be sacrificed. He even brought this philosophy into his business, making “work hard, play hard” a core value that still influences our company culture today. This focus on having fun and valuing employees as whole people has contributed to our almost zero turnover rate—a testament to how much his leadership style resonates with those around him.

Perhaps what stands out most to me is how well he has always treated his employees. From offering annual retreats and bonuses to implementing flexible hours and unlimited vacation and sick days, he has always ensured that his team feels valued and trusted. He created an environment where people were treated like adults, and this trust and respect fostered loyalty and dedication.

Eighteen months ago, my dad had to step away from his professional duties for health reasons. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It has been a challenging period for our family, but I am so grateful for the time I had to work closely with him and to carry forward his legacy. Every day, I strive to honor his example by leading with integrity, balancing ambition with joy and putting people first—both in and out of the office.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the importance of mentorship and its profound impact on young lives. This inspired my belief in the value of leadership and the responsibility that comes with it. My path has been anything but traditional—I’ve worked in various settings that have shown me how people grow and excel when given the right support and encouragement. This winding journey ultimately led me to the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC), where I’m inspired every day by the curiosity, creativity and drive of the next generation.

NSLC plays a crucial role in fostering students’ personal growth, preparing them for the ever-changing demands of the world and equipping them with the tools they need to make informed decisions and build meaningful connections. Each summer, our 9- to 18-day program provides students with the opportunity to experience life on a college campus, develop essential leadership skills and explore potential careers through simulations, exclusive site visits and interactive meetings with renowned leaders in their chosen fields. This immersive experience, designed for middle and high school students, allows them to explore career paths firsthand, connect with like-minded peers from around the world and build key soft skills.

Some of the programs we offer at NSLC include: Fashion Management & Design–which I helped create–Game Design, Music Industry & Production, Artificial Intelligence, Marine Biology and International Diplomacy.

At NSLC, our primary goal is to help students explore and develop their unique potential. Our program is designed to support students long after the program ends. Since 1989, we’ve cultivated a close-knit alumni network of individuals who go on to make meaningful contributions to the world, continuing to support one another along the way. We’re proud to say that 70-75% of our staff are alumni of our programs. The sense of community at NSLC is unique because our staff is so deeply committed to our mission and vision—they dedicate their careers to shaping the next generation of leaders and carrying on NSLC’s legacy.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve had to unlearn is that you should only present a perfect, polished finished product and never show the effort, messiness or vulnerability behind it. I grew up as a ballerina, where this mindset was encouraged and ingrained in me. For ballet, perfection is the quest, and flawless performance is the only thing acceptable to show externally. Behind closed doors, in rehearsals, is where the literal blood, sweat and tears happen. You’re trained to make even the hardest movements appear effortless—leaping silently, landing gracefully and never letting the audience see the struggle.

When I transitioned into the business world, I initially carried this mentality with me. I believed that good leadership meant always having the answers, always appearing composed and delivering only polished work without showing the rough drafts that came before it. But I quickly realized that this approach wasn’t just inefficient—it was isolating. It stifled collaboration, created unrealistic expectations, and, frankly, it wasn’t sustainable.

Business, much like life, is messy. It’s full of rough drafts, experiments and do-overs. I had to learn that vulnerability isn’t a weakness; it’s a powerful tool for connection and growth. When you’re honest about the challenges, the “in progress” stages and even the missteps, you create space for others to contribute, share their ideas and innovate together. Showing the effort behind the finished product doesn’t diminish your leadership—it enhances it. It builds trust, encourages open communication and leads to better results.

This shift in mindset has transformed how I lead my team. I’ve found that being transparent about the process, including the messy middle, not only produces stronger outcomes but also fosters a healthier and more supportive work environment. I still value excellence and strive for high standards, but I’ve learned that perfection is often the enemy of productivity—and that sometimes, the best way to move forward is to let people see the work in progress.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Oh, so many…where to begin! I’m very interested in psychology and philosophy—constantly seeking to understand human behavior on a deeper level. I believe that the more I understand what drives people, the better I can support and guide my team. This is particularly relevant to our work at NSLC, where we help young people explore what they want to do professionally and who they want to become personally. One of my favorite quotes is from Mary Oliver: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” As a leader, I see it as my responsibility to help my team answer that question for themselves.

One of the most significant influences on my leadership style is Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead. Brown’s work taught me the power of vulnerability and the importance of leading with empathy. She challenges the notion that leaders must always appear strong and unflappable. Instead, she encourages embracing the messy, human side of leadership. This perspective has helped me create an environment where my team feels safe to take risks, share ideas and learn from failures—ultimately driving innovation and deeper connection within our organization.

John Mackey’s Conscious Capitalism introduced me to the idea that businesses can and should be a force for good. I love creating value for all stakeholders, not just shareholders. This holistic approach aligns well with our work at NSLC, where our mission is not only about business success but also about making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people.

I probably quote Simon Sinek’s TED Talk, “Start with Why,” at least once a month. His mantra, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it,” is at the heart of how I approach brand building and leadership. His book, also titled Start with Why, emphasizes the importance of leading through values and building a brand around a clear purpose. This idea has been instrumental in helping me align my team around our mission.

On a macro level, I love to reflect on Clayton Christensen’s essay, “How Will You Measure Your Life?” His perspective on success—measuring it not just by professional achievements but by the impact you have on the people around you—has deeply influenced my leadership goals. I aim to create an environment where my team feels supported, valued and empowered to grow, whether that growth happens within our organization or beyond it.

At the core of my philosophy is a blend of empathy, purpose-driven leadership and a relentless curiosity about what makes people tick. I believe that great leadership is about helping people achieve business goals and live their best professional lives—sometimes even if that means supporting their growth beyond my organization.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nslcleaders.org/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-duffy-hochman-1a282611/

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