Overcoming Imposter Syndrome on the Path to Leadership

Dino Mavrookas is the Co-Founder and CEO of Saronic Technologies, a defense tech company pioneering AI-powered autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) to strengthen U.S. and allied naval capabilities. A former U.S. Navy SEAL with 11 years of service and eight combat tours, Mavrookas enlisted after 9/11 and gained firsthand insight into the importance of technological superiority in complex operational environments. He founded Saronic in 2022, and under his leadership, the company has raised over $850 million and reached a $4 billion valuation by early 2025—developing scalable, mission-driven ASVs for modern maritime defense.

After his military service, he earned a BASC in Computer Engineering from Rutgers and an MBA from The Wharton School. He then transitioned to private equity, serving as a Senior Associate at Vista Equity Partners and Vice President at H.I.G. Capital, focusing on technology investments. A 2015 Pat Tillman Scholar, Mavrookas also serves on the board of the Navy SEAL Foundation and advocates for expanding opportunities for veterans in elite academic and professional programs.

Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors:

https://www.roka.com - USE CODE SRS

https://uscca.com/srs

https://www.aura.com/srs

https://www.betterhelp.com/srs

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self.

https://www.helixsleep.com/srs⁠

https://www.blackbuffalo.com

https://www.meetfabric.com/shawn

https://www.shawnlikesgold.com

https://www.hillsdale.edu/srs

https://www.paladinpower.com/srs

https://www.patriotmobile.com/srs

https://trueclassic.com/srs

Upgrade your wardrobe and save on @trueclassic at trueclassic.com/srs! #trueclassicpod

Dino Mavrookas Links -

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dino-mavrookas 

Saronic Technologies - https://www.saronic.com 

Navy SEAL Foundation - https://www.navysealfoundation.org

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices