As this season of Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself in a period of deep reflection on the past six months in the CEO’s chair, a role where the weight of final accountability—the fact that the buck stops here—is a weight I’ve embraced. The unexpected truth, however, is that this journey hasn’t been solitary; it has been made possible by the incredible people around me: an executive team I trust implicitly, a board chair who guides with wisdom, a supportive board, and especially my sons, my parents, and my partner, whose unconditional support is my bedrock. Leading a startup is a constant series of emotional highs and lows, a roller coaster that often forces me to ask if I truly belong. I’ve learned that this feeling of being slightly uncomfortable or out of my depth is a sign of growth; it’s what drives me to learn and work tirelessly, transforming self-doubt into momentum. I’ve adopted a mantra that guides every decision: there are only two outcomes—learn or win. This has allowed us to accomplish a great deal in a short time, securing four excellent university partners, with several more to be announced, and building a global team for our first cohort in January. Our promise, embodied in our name Quallege (Quality + College)—connecting quality universities to quality students—is simple, but our commitment to doing everything at the highest level of quality, making it simple for our partners and students, has helped me embrace the mistakes, celebrate the victories, and keep moving forward. Ultimately, as this season of gratitude arrives, I am profoundly thankful not just for my personal support network, but for every agent, partner, and student who has trusted Quallege’s vision. Who are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?