Peter Nolan ’80, MBA ’82, founder of Nolan Capital and senior advisor at Leonard Green & Partners, speaking to students as the Nolan School’s Dean’s Distinguished Lecturer, October 4.

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Stay curious and build “social muscles,” says Nolan School namesake

In an auditorium packed with students for the Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series on October 4, Peter Nolan ’80, MBA ’82, offered a glimpse into his success as an investor and entrepreneur and offered nuggets of wisdom for students to foster their own success.

Nolan—a namesake of the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration—focused on the importance of leveraging 
opportunities and going the extra mile to succeed in today’s competitive business environment.

Drawing on decades of experience in private equity and investments, Nolan, founder of Nolan Capital and senior advisor at Leonard Green & Partners, shared with the first- and second-year students how the skills he developed during his Cornell education laid the groundwork for his future success.

Nolan sprinkled his remarks with humor and delivered advice that was practical, personal, and, at times, like something one would hear from a trusted friend.

Acknowledging the effects of COVID-19 on students’ educational and social development, he emphasized the importance of closing some of the skill gaps the isolation brought about—such as social interaction.

Read the full story on the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business website.

Sandra Roma Paniccia is the director of brand messaging at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.

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