Growth, Grit, and Leadership Built Through Hospitality

David Corsun, PhD’s hospitality career began early, shaped by long hours, high-volume restaurants, and a love for the energy of the restaurant industry. His path moved through fine dining, large-scale operations, entrepreneurship, and ultimately academia - each step teaching him the value of work ethic, humility, and learning from real-world experience.

Across roles, he learned to balance confidence with self-awareness, to spot the dangers of hubris, and to build credibility through hard work. His transition into teaching emerged from a realization that creating humane workplaces and developing future leaders mattered as much as operational success. In academia, he has applied lessons about patience and resilience.

Notable Quotes/Highlights

• “I was really hungry to succeed at work… I had not been so hungry to learn in school.”
• “I have surrounded myself with a team and with an advisory board that constantly challenges me to be my best… and that push has made me so much better.” “Other than vision, the most important responsibility of a leader is to remove the barriers to others’ success.”
• “Saying yes is very important… while maintaining enough of a boundary so that you are taking care of yourself first.”
• “Learning involves discomfort. Growth involves discomfort.”

Closing Reflection

David’s journey highlights how credibility, curiosity, and intentional self-development build careers that endure. His example encourages us to say yes to opportunities, cultivate self-awareness, and seek environments that support growth. Purposeful leadership begins with knowing oneself, caring for others, and being willing to evolve.

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