From Orphanage to Impact: Nick Tietz, Founder & CEO of ILT Academy, on Entrepreneurial Resilience and Purpose

Welcome to another inspiring episode of TBCY’s "Leaders Who Care" series! In this interview, host Mark Sadovnick sits down with Nick Tietz, Founder and CEO of ILT Academy, to explore his remarkable journey from being adopted in Bogota, Colombia, to leading game-changing ventures in entrepreneurship and innovation.Nick opens up about his emotional quest to find his birth mother, his diverse educational and professional background, and the powerful stories behind his ventures—especially those dedicated to helping underrepresented entrepreneurs and creating real social impact. From retrieving torpedoes in the Navy to founding programs that support new business founders in overlooked communities, Nick’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and a genuine desire to make a difference.Tune in to hear about the pivotal life moments and lessons that shaped Nick’s path, his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, how to learn from failures and turn them into stepping stones for success, and his vision for the future of entrepreneurship in an AI-driven world.