🧡 Thank you to CEO alum Abby Tolley, a member of the Mt Zion IL CEO Board, for coming back and spending time with our class!

Abby brings so much wisdom and insight to our students. There’s something especially powerful about hearing from someone who has been in their shoes and understands the transformation that can happen through CEO.

Abby reminded us that CEO is different from a traditional classroom. It’s about learning to work as a team, building a network, practicing real-world skills, and realizing that how much you transform as a person depends on how much you’re willing to put into the experience.

One of our favorite conversations was about “givens” vs. goals.
👉 A given is that you show up on time.
👉 A goal is that you show up early.

CEO has high expectations because we know our students can rise to them. Accountability, trustworthiness, performance reviews, asking good questions, working together, and making others feel valued aren’t just “school” skills — they’re life skills.

We also talked about creating a safe place where asking questions is celebrated, mistakes become opportunities to learn, and everyone is challenged to level up.

Our goal is a top-notch CEO experience. We want our students to practice, work together, shift their mindset, and become better versions of themselves.

Because ultimately, if CEO isn’t changing lives, we aren’t doing our best work.

Thank you, Abby, for serving on the CEO Board, sharing your wisdom, investing in our students, and helping us continue to level up CEO! 🧡🖤