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Bruce Hartman, D.Min.

Bruce Hartman, D.Min. was the featured speaker at the March 4 Ruth A. Miller Senior Business Seminar. Hartman is a founding partner of Gideon Advisors and a member of the Board of Trustees.

“Tonight, we had the opportunity to hear from the amazing Dr. Bruce Hartman. He was a first-generation student who originally got a degree in accounting and later ended up with a Doctorate in Ministry.” Priscilla Ehrensberger ’26

“Dr. Hartman grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, where he then attended Suffolk University for his undergraduate degree in business and finance. He always wanted to be a CFO, he said, and when the other kids were out playing sports, he sat dreaming of being a CFO, as he loved math.” Trey Grazier ’27

“Dr. Hartman shared his life story with us. He was a first-generation college student, the first in his family to attend college, fifty years ago. Therefore, when he first went to college, he didn’t know the rules and just started without much guidance. However, through these experiences, he now provides scholarships for first-generation Thiel College students named in honor of his parents.” Miyeon Lee ’26

“His Thiel story is different from our other speakers because he didn’t go here as a student and then come back to speak. Rather, he found Thiel through other connections and now gives scholarships to first generation Thiel students, which can change people’s lives.” Brett Channell ’27

“Dr. Bruce L. Hartman spoke to our class about faith, leadership, and personal purpose. As a Christian author and speaker, he shares the message of Jesus with business professionals in practical ways. Through his work, Hartman prompts individuals to reflect on their purpose and how faith can guide leadership.” Raegan Nelson ’26

“He has also done some cool things in his life other than being a CFO. He has hiked the Appalachian Trail, describing that even an inchworm can climb a mountain. He has written six books, on the path to ten, and creates content on LinkedIn and Twitter. He runs two hedge funds, helps his son-in-law run a restaurant, and is completely self-motivated.” Trey Grazier ’27

“He shared stories from his own experiences, including his early days as CFO at Footlocker, where the first few months felt like a constant struggle just to keep the doors open. One key idea he emphasized was that leadership isn't about titles, but about solving problems, building confidence in others, and inspiring belief that things can improve.” Lindsey Pearce ’27

“One such example of his thinking would be the time he tasked his crew with finding something, then instead of searching for it himself, he just relaxed in his office. While it may sound lazy, the thought process is that he’s motivating the people skilled at that task and then giving them the freedom to do what they do, and it worked.” Spencer Cleary ’27

“Dr. Hartman talked to us about how to set ourselves apart from competitors in our careers, especially coming from smaller schools where it may seem harder to compete with bigger names. I agree that it can seem challenging, but the extra effort and attention we get at a smaller school is already one thing that sets us ahead of those at larger institutions.” Kendall McLaughlin ’26

“Additionally, he mentioned that in the workplace, you must compete. There is always someone trying to outwork you. However, there is a catch to this statement. You need to compete, not out of spite, but in a humble manner. This is what will truly push you along in your career path. This self-motivated competition is what will drive you to succeed.” Makenna Oswalt ’26

“One part of his talk that really stuck with me was when he shared that he failed his freshman English class in college. Hearing that surprised me, especially knowing that he later went on to write six books. It made me reflect on how easy it is to think that one mistake or setback defines your abilities. His story reminded me that improvement takes time, and that putting in consistent effort can eventually lead to results that once seemed impossible.” Giovanna Franz ’27

“Dr. Hartman also told us to watch every boss we have and copy what they are good at—and only that. He kept emphasizing staying humble and trying to help others become better: ‘Help people believe that tomorrow will be better than today.’ That quote was one of the biggest takeaways from his presentation because there are a lot of times when I need someone to convince me that tomorrow will be better. I think practicing this philosophy will not just help someone else, but also myself.” Lorene Byler ’26

“While he was talking about his jobs as CFO, he had lessons he learned along the way, but the one that stood out to me the most was ‘Help people believe that tomorrow will be better than today.’ This quote from Dr. Hartman stuck with me and hit close to my heart. I personally try to put as much good into the world as I can every day. This means holding doors open, giving compliments, or asking how someone is doing.” Priscilla Ehrensberger ’26

“Dr. Hartman also highlighted the importance of developing skills such as problem-solving and emotional regulation, surrounding oneself with the right people, and staying motivated. His presentation underscored that success is simpler than it seems, grounded in consistent effort, strong character, and daily work.” Lindsey Pearce ’27

“He warned us against sharing secrets that could create a negative impression. He highlighted how confiding in just one person can easily lead to that information spreading throughout the entire organization, ultimately damaging our professional standing.” Eunseo Lee ’26

“However, there were some things that stood out to me that I did not agree with. He talked about succeeding by watching and doing what other people are good at. While this is valuable, I think knowing your individual learning style is important; in my experience, I learn much more from watching (or doing) what other people are bad at. I think failure is one of the best teachers, but I will be open-minded to see what good things I can pick up on.” Kendall McLaughlin ’26

“His lecture was very impactful. He generously shared lessons and insights he had learned from decades of working experience. Especially the quotes and sentences he shared were easy to grasp at once, which was very helpful to listen to. The parts about how to approach work, human relationships, and life are lessons I will deeply remember for my future career.” Miyeon Lee ’26

“Overall, Dr. Hartman’s visit made me think more about persistence and perspective. His experiences showed that success does not come from being perfect, but from continuing to work hard, learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward.” Giovanna Franz ’27

“Dr. Bruce Hartman was probably my favorite speaker we've had in the class so far. There was an aura around him that was spiritually calming and made me cling to every word he said. My notebook was practically filled by the end of the night. He had such a strong sense of faith that rooted him in his leadership roles and life experiences.” Makenna Oswalt ’26

“I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to hear lectures from such amazing people, which we rarely encounter in daily life. I wish time could slow down. Especially, since the companies he talked about are familiar to me, I was even more attentive and enjoyed the lecture.” Miyeon Lee ’26

“Overall, it was a memorable evening with great conversation from our numerous guests. Seeing how many people came to hear him speak, and with him being selected as the Common Hour lecturer for March 5 shows, he is very well respected for his ideas.” Kendall McLaughlin ’26

“At the end of his presentation, Dr. Hartman generously gave each student a copy of Jesus & Co., which made the experience even more meaningful because it allowed us to continue reflecting on the lessons he shared.” Raegan Nelson ’26

“Overall, I really enjoyed eating dinner and listening to Dr. Hartman speak, and I am very excited to read the book that he gave us!” Makenna Oswalt ’26

Lessons Learned

• “Protect your character. Never say or do anything that damages your reputation.” Miyeon Lee ’26
• “The high road is always the street to stay on.” Priscilla Ehrensberger ’26
• “You are who you hang out with.” Lorene Byler ’26
• “Tomorrow’s success is today’s practice.” Dwayne Simpkins ’27
• “Success is rarely as simple as it looks. What people see on the outside often hides a lot of hard work and struggle.” Lindsey Pearce ’27
• “The world rewards effort and excellence.” Trey Grazier ’27
• “Ideas are common, execution is rare.” Brett Channell ’27
• “You must compete to be the best.” Spencer Cleary ’27
• “Leadership is not about titles.” Raegan Nelson ’26
• “Big brands lead to a multitude of valuable mentors.” Makenna Oswalt ’26
• “Do not lose your cool EVER in the workplace.” Dwayne Simpkins ’27
• “Nothing is ever as dire as it may seem.” Trey Grazier ’27

Dinner “Dishing”

• “I had the honor of being the concierge this week, and AVI did an amazing job recreating a meal that I grew up eating as a child. I asked if they could recreate an Amish wedding dinner meal, which consisted of a plate salad, breaded baked chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, creamed peas, and, for dessert, apple and rhubarb pie, courtesy of my grandma. I hope everyone was able to feel the love that my grandma put into those pies because she adores baking, and she was very happy when I asked if she would be willing to make something for the entire class and our guests. I was lucky enough to sit at a table with President (Susan) Traverso and Dr. Hartman, where we talked about a variety of topics, including, of course, a little bit about my Amish background.” Lorene Byler ’26
• The dinners are my favorite part of the class, not just because of the meals, but because you get to sit with and hear from a variety of different people and you don’t know who you will be sitting with when you walk into class that day. When else would anyone have the opportunity to sit next to the President of Thiel College?” Trey Grazier ’27
• Dr. Robert Burns, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Prof. Melissa Oakes attended as guests at the dinner, and I had the pleasure of sharing a meal with them. We had a wonderful conversation about the cultural differences between the U.S. and Korea. They also asked several personal questions, which made the evening feel very welcoming and allowed for a genuine connection outside of the classroom.” Eunseo Lee ’26
• I had dinner with Thiel Trustee Mike Zawoysky and his wife, Vicki. He shared stories about his time as the CEO of Shoe Sensation, how he helped grow the company, and his experience working at Foot Locker Europe. He also talked about living in different countries and cities across Asia and Europe with her and their family. From our conversation, I could really feel how passionate he was about the company and how dedicated he had been to his work. I’ve seen Shoe Sensation when going to Walmart before, so it was hard to believe that he was the CEO. It was a wonderful evening with delicious food and great conversation.” Miyeon Lee ’26
• “I found this meal to be one of the most comforting meals we have had so far. For dessert, Lorene’s grandmother made us apple and rhubarb pies. I chose the apple pie, which I found to be absolutely delicious. Lorene did an amazing job planning dinner for our class, and AVI did an amazing job making it for us!” Raegan Nelson ’26