Dean’s Speaker Series Entrepreneur, Diplomat, Innovator: Ambassador Trevor Traina on Leadership and the Future of Tech
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Nov 4, 2025 
Trevor Traina, a serial entrepreneur and former U.S. Ambassador to Austria, shares his wealth of experience in tech and diplomacy. He discusses the contrasting leadership styles between startups and diplomatic roles. Traina elaborates on innovation waves and his insights into future tech trends, alongside the importance of authentic social impact in business. He also offers advice on building a resilient career in an AI-driven world and emphasizes the value of curiosity and continual learning. His commitment to blockchain and philanthropic projects underlines a desire to make a real difference.
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Three-Step Decision Framework
- Listen, decide, and communicate is the three-step method for good decision making.
- Communicate decisions clearly to those who contributed so the organization regains closure and alignment.
Surf The Right Tech Wave
- Pick opportunities where the wind is at your back by working on major, rising trends.
- The hard part is finding unmet market needs within those big waves and timing product-market fit.
Pitch Ideas To Yourself First
- Test startup ideas by pitching them aloud and judging if your own pitch convinces you.
- Be brutally honest with yourself about whether an idea rings true before committing resources.