Leadership Roots: How Early Influences Shape Today’s CEOs

On this episode of Executive Leaders Radio, Herb Cohen sits down with four dynamic executives to explore how childhood experiences and early influences shaped their leadership styles. Ben Connors, CEO of General Building Contractors Association, shares how his upbringing in Philadelphia and New Jersey, combined with early exposure to trade associations and politics, prepared him to steward a 135-year-old member organization. Dave DelBaccaro, CEO and President of Music Choice, reflects on his engineering background, competitive household, and how adaptability has fueled the company’s evolution amid changing music consumption trends. Cesidio Colasante, owner of Soccer Shots of Southeastern Pennsylvania, discusses her journey from professional soccer to leading a mobile youth program serving multiple counties, grounded in the values instilled by her Italian immigrant parents. Todd Sager, CEO of AWE Tuning, explains how his passion for cars, engineering, and artistry influences his approach to building enthusiast-driven performance products. Together, these leaders reveal how work ethic, family dynamics, and early passions continue to drive their impact on employees, members, and communities.