Hear from our alumni about their experience in the Leaders in Tech programs.
Harj Taggar
Triplebyte
,
Co-founder & CEO
“This is the best thing a leader could do for their company.”
Emmett Shear
CEO
,
Twitch
“If you’ve ever wanted to improve your ability to connect with those around you, build trust, and share authentically, attend this program.”
Iman Abuzeid
Co-founder & CEO
,
Incredible Health
“This is a no brainer, just do it. Transformative. Incredibly insightful in helping me realize exactly what I do/say that influences others. I’m very hopeful that the strong camaraderie that emerged from this impressive group of CEOs will continue for the rest of my life.”
Vlada Bortnik
Co-founder & COO
,
Marco Polo App
“One of the most profound experiences of my adult life. The time investment is well worth the insights into my leadership style and the community I am now part of. I highly recommend it!”
Rick Klau
Co-founder & CEO
,
Onsemble
“The curriculum and LIT facilitators helped me connect with my peers in ways I didn't know were possible. I feel extraordinarily fortunate to have had this experience, and cannot recommend it highly enough for other founders/CEOs looking to become more effective leaders.”
Daniel Kan
Cruise
,
Co-founder
"Best program I've ever done. Highly recommend."
Andrew Mason
Founder & CEO
,
Groupon
“Having gone through LIT, I’m dumbstruck by the complete absence of opportunities to learn and develop these skills in life so far - but as obvious as that seems now, previously, I was equally as oblivious. It feels essential.”
Jay Graber
CEO
,
Bluesky
“Through LIT, I gained some fundamental insights on how I relate to others that were truly a breakthrough in my personal as well as professional life.”
Lindsay Holden
CEO & Co-founder
,
Long Game / CASPR
“I’m in awe of how much impact one weekend could have on my personal growth.”
Shashank Khanna
CEO
,
Cashmere
“LIT is the single greatest thing I've done for my personal development as a leader.”
Blake Pierson
Co-founder & CEO
,
Fathom
“While this is a big time commitment, it is by far the highest ROI course/event I’ve ever attended — by orders of magnitude.”
Ada Chen Rekhi
Co-founder & COO
,
Notejoy
“I know we are all busy, but if you have time for the Leaders in Tech experience you should jump on it. It’s truly one of the most differentiated, experiential learnings opportunities that I’ve experienced that I can directly apply to improve my professional and personal life. ”
Adam Pisoni
Founder & CEO
,
Abl
“As a leader I like to be challenged and learn. But to be truly challenged I need to be challenged in ways I’m uncomfortable being challenged. I found profound growth and community in ways I would not have asked for.”
Adam Wacenske
COO
,
Caredge
“The skills that i learned at LIT will not only help me become a better leader in my professional life but more importantly will help me be a better father, husband and friend. The relationships I made and skills I learned at LIT will stay with me for the rest of my life. 10/10 would recommend.”
Adanma Raymond
Executive Director
,
Historic Fund
“What sets LIT apart is the genuine connections and appreciation fostered among participants. In this program, I've felt truly seen and valued by my peers in a way that's rare in any professional setting.”
Alaa Taa
CEO & Co-founder
,
Incredible Health
“LIT was truly a transformative experience and it's clear to me the positive impact it will have on my personal and professional life. I gained a deeper understanding of self, how I connect with others, and how to improve my communication and influence. The facilitators are experts in their craft and provide an incredibly fulfilling experience.”
Alan Stein
Founder, CEO & Chief Accelerator
,
Kadima Careers
“I highly recommend LIT for leaders who have an intrinsic desire to change how they are perceived and communicate with others.”
Alex Gruver
Co-founder
,
Jhourney
“T-Group is a unique and wonderful experience. Would strongly recommend to a friend.”
Alex Tonelli
Founder & CEO
,
Vocate
“I participated in Carole’s program at Stanford GSB and found it life-changing. I experienced LIT as life-changing yet again for the next step in my path.”
Ali Sarilgan
Co-founder
,
EcoTrove
“The four day weekend was almost as impactful as four years of college.”
Amy Li
Founder & CEO
,
Dance4Healing
“LIT is a transformative framework that equips leaders to better understand and articulate emotions, foster deeper relationships, and deliver effective feedback that strengthens teams and organizations.”
Andy Chen
General Partner
,
Coatue Management
“LIT transformed that way I think about leadership and influence. It’s life and career changing and I highly recommend all founders to be a part of it.”
Anita Koimur
Co-founder
,
LiveFlow
“LIT is the shortcut that helped me to save decades and find a way to my deeper, more compassionate, and empathetic self. I feel like I know have "a hack" to take interpersonal relationships to the next level.”
Anna Vybornova
Co-founder & CEO
,
Polari Labs
“Grove fellowship allowed me to observe throughout the weekend how I showed up in a group dynamics. I was able to spot and put into practice some blind spots I did not realize I had. Facilitators gently nudge the progress.”
Annie Kadavy
Managing Director
,
Redpoint Ventures
“If you’ve never had a T-Group experience, you must. What you’ll learn about yourself and others will improve all of your most important relationships and potentially change your life in just 4 days.”
Arthur Nguyen-cao
Co-founder & CEO
,
Auctify.ca
“Hands down the most moving experience of my life. No four day period in my adult life has ever been so impactful.”
Arturo Elizondo
CEO
,
Clara Foods
“LIT transcends work relationships. This program has far reaching benefits.”
Ben Jackson
Co-founder & CPO
,
Upsolve
"After 20 years of bumbling around in my personal relationships and 10 years doing the same as a leader, I was exhausted. I had tried everything. It feels crazy saying it – but the four days of intensive work with the skillful, compassionate instructors at LIT "fixed me."...This was one of the top five learning experiences of my life, and you will not regret it."
Benjamin Garmendia
Head of Revenue
,
ClassDojo
“Fully endorse the program.”
Bentley Hall
CEO
,
Good Eggs
“I am infinitely grateful for the LIT experience and all of the hard work, brilliance and thought that went into it. Honored to have been part of it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Cachet Colvard
Founding Member
,
Advancement League
“LIT is truly an unforgettable experience that I believe will have a lasting impact on me. It's rare for something—or someone—to shift my perspective and behavior so profoundly, but this journey has done just that, and I’m incredibly grateful for it. If you’re ready to invest in building better relationships with yourself and those around you (both personally and professionally) and are willing to embrace and do the hard stuff, LIT is definitely the right choice for you!.”
Caitlyn Krebs
Co-founder & CEO
,
Nalu Bio
“My experience in the Leaders in Tech program was truly transformative. One of my goals going in was to increase my influence — with my team and in my broader interactions. Through the program, I learned what referent influence really means and gained the tools to build it with intention. Perhaps most importantly, I became more connected to my emotions and learned to communicate them effectively. I now see developmental feedback as an opportunity for connection and growth rather than criticism. I left the program feeling more confident, self-aware, and equipped to lead with authenticity and empathy. Leaders in Tech helped me grow not only as a leader, but as a human.”
Calin Drimbau
Co-founder & CEO
,
broadn
“The program has offered me a great practical ground to test my abilities to communicate effectively with others in a format that felt safe and supportive. I'm coming at the other end with clear and practical goals that I want to purse in my efforts to become a better leader.”
Chandrika Maheshwari
Co-founder & CEO
,
Quivly
“I came into LIT with a lot of curiosity and left with valuable insights about myself and my leadership style, frameworks and tools to develop the skills I want to work on, a vision of what "great" looks like for various leadership traits and a community of founders I can trust and lean on.”
Chase Adam
Co-founder & CEO
,
Watsi
“It was a profound experience that exceeded my expectations in every way. To try and describe it wouldn’t do it justice — you need to experience it yourself. You won’t be disappointed.”
Chris Bennett
Co-founder & CEO
,
Wonderschool
“This was a mind blowing, impactful experience. I think I learned more about myself in that one weekend than I have over the last 8 years. Along with that I’ve made some awesome friends in the process.”
Chris Knape
Co-founder & CEO
,
Rare Candy Auctions, Inc.
“LIT was an absolutely mind-blowing experience. The impact of applying what we learned to my business and personal life is going to be absolutely tremendous.”
Chris Nguyen
CEO & Co-founder
,
LogDNA
“I came in with an open mind and left with an open heart. It was an amazing experience. This program unlocked so much that I was not aware of and [I] will utilize the knowledge to become a better self and better leader. ”
Christopher Kirchhoff
Scale AI
,
Advisor & Head of Applied AI Strategy and Global Strategy
“"So rarely in life does a new pedagogical format -- in this case T-groups -- open whole new doors on how I saw myself and learned to interact with others more effectively. The experience was at once immersive, transformational, deeply meaningful, and inspirational.”
Christopher Martinez
Founder & COO
,
Idiomatic
“Probably one of the most practically useful professional development experiences I’ve had was at LIT. I would want to send anyone I work closely with in the future through this experience.”
Claire McDonnell
Co-founder & COO
,
True Link Financial
“This program helped me figure out how to grow myself as a leader so I can be what my company needs as we scale. ”
Conor Brennan-Burke
Founder & CEO
,
HyperSpell
“Grove completely transformed how I view my own leadership style and how I work with my team. Extremely high ROI for just 4 days, I couldn't recommend it more highly.”
Curtis Northcutt
Co-founder and CEO
,
Cleanlab
“I've always cared so much about people and yet relationships would go poorly and I wish someone could help me understand why. I felt like some people knew the magic code that I didn't and I could see how it made their life so much more fulfilling and connected. I genuinely believe this program is the magic code. It's incredibly practical and I have immediately seen multiple relationships improve after.”
Daniel Chalef
Founder
,
getzep.com
“The LIT retreat was a powerful learning experience that revealed my strengths and limitations when interacting with close connections and people I want to build better relationships with. It provided useful techniques and practice opportunities to work on these areas of difficulty.”
Daniel Fukuba
Co-founder & CTO
,
Hyphen
“LIT reshaped how I lead in days and built real trust with exceptional peers. Best ROI I’ve made in my growth.”
Daniel Paik
CEO
,
CuroWork
“I walked in skeptical and left truly amazed. This program has the potential to positively impact every aspect of your life, both professionally and personally. It's a must-do for every founder looking to level up.”
Dasha Maggio
Co-COO
,
Felicis Ventures
“While we all came with impressive resumes, I left deeply moved by the vulnerability, compassion, curiosity and humanity I witnessed in my fellow participants...and myself. LIT offered me a truly unique opportunity to deeply examine and update the behaviors and mental models that no longer serve me, and I know that I will be a better professional, partner, friend and person because of it.”
David Head
Founder & CEO
,
Endorsed
“Few things in my life have blown away expectations when they were already high going in. YC was one. Grove is another.”
David Maltz
Founding Chief Product Officer
,
Humanity Neurotech
“The LIT program is carefully crafted to engender root-level internal change that will profoundly change how I show up as a leader, as a partner, as a spouse, as a parent, and as a friend. It's a crucible for self-development in the company of supportive fellow travelers.”
Deon Nicholas
Founder
,
Forethought
“I was expecting to learn tools and tactics to be a better communicator and leader. I got those, and I got something a bit deeper: a better understanding of my own feelings and core assumptions. LIT was transformative to how I will live and interact with the world.”
Dina Burkitbayeva
Co-founder & CEO
,
Freedom Bioscience
“LIT has been deeply impactful in helping me become more secure in myself as an effective leader and offering a safe (and yet effective) space to continue growing.”
Doug Qian
Co-founder & CTO
,
Streamline
“Grove changed my life. If you started a company to become the ultimate version of yourself, Grove and the people you meet through it will no doubt help you get there."
Edith Harbaugh
Co-founder & CEO
,
LaunchDarkly
“LIT gave me a community of fellow CEOs who care about building better companies.”
Eduardo Williams
CEO
,
Contalink
“I recommend this experience to anyone, especially leaders, who want to enhance their awareness of their strengths and weaknesses in their interactions with others. It offers an unparalleled opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, be vulnerable, experiment, and learn about yourself and how you relate to others. I'm still learning, but so far, it has been a fantastic experience.”
Ema Rouf
Co-founder
,
Pave.dev
“I almost didn’t go - I was dreading the time away from work and skeptical about what I’d get out of it. But it ended up being the most transformative experience I’ve had. It changed how I lead and how I connect with people.”
Emily Dong
Founder & CEO
,
Snout
“LIT gave me awareness of a new level of communication, both at work and in my personal life. These tools and practice grounds have brought me clarity and given me confidence to have harder conversations.”
Fedor Paretsky
Co-founder & CTO
,
sepalai.com
“If you want to learn to become even closer to all of your peers, friends, and family, go to this retreat.”
Felicia Curcuru
Co-founder & CEO
,
Binti
“LIT was an incredible and profound experience for me. I was able to get in touch with my feelings in a way I hadn’t before. I had realizations that are going to make me a better leader, a happier person and a more true version of myself. I’m also grateful for the community of other CEOs I’ve built through LIT that are now like a family.”
Ferhat Babacan
Co-founder & CEO
,
Bluedot Technologies
“The insights I gained from this program ignited a spark in both my life and mind. I never imagined that these revelations would connect the dots so swiftly.”
Finnegan Shepard
Founder & CEO
,
Bothandapparel
“As someone who considers themselves quite self aware and has a very high EQ, I went into this retreat with some doubt about how much it could shift. I am not exaggerating in the slightest when I say that it has profoundly changed my life for the better.”
Fitzgerald Ventura
Co-founder & CEO
,
1099Policy
“Yes. I went into the program with a high degree of skeptism and left with a higher degree of gratitude. The tools learned will make me a better partner, father, friend and founder!”
Francesco Polizzi
Head of Product
,
Outschool, Inc
“It was invaluable as a leader but also a husband, brother, and friend. This is not a networking event or a work conference - it’s a real, deep and emotional learning experience that left me with a much greater sense of purpose as a leader than when I entered.”
Frost Li
Founder & CEO
,
Loup
“This program is one of its own kind, and truly shows a completely different view of leadership and connections. I highly recommend anyone who wants to step up their leadership skills to participate.”
Gabrielle Immelman
CEO
,
Mindjoy
“The T-group format provided a brave space to experiment with different approaches with a peer group invested in my growth as much as I was. I learned so much about how others and I see myself as a leader.”
Greg Albritton
Founder & CEO
,
Longviewlabs
"The Grove Retreat is inexplicable in the best of ways. It’s a full experience that is intense and rewarding. You literally have to experience to understand the impact it will have on you.”
Gus Tai
Retired General Partner
,
Trinity Ventures
“LIT provides wonderful ways to learn and experiment with communication skills.”
Helen Boniske
Partner
,
Lemnos
“It’s really hard to describe it until you’ve been there, but tremendous value for literally every human.”
Ian Bassin
Founder & Executive Director
,
Protect Democracy
“This was one of the most impactful four-day experiences I've ever had. Far and away worth the investment. I believe it will help me immensely in my personal and professional life and I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to participate.”
Ian Roberts
Co-founder & CEO
,
Hive
“LIT is truly a gift to the world. This stands right next to the day my daughter was born as the most transformative experience of my life.”
Isaac Silverman
Co-founder & CEO
,
Daydream
“I love LIT and can’t recommend it enough. I walked out feeling like I’d unlocked new superpowers - an upgraded way of relating to myself and others. I walked in with strangers and left, 4 days later, with close friends. Just a couple days later, I’m already seeing real shifts: at work, my feedback lands differently; in life, personal connection is easier to establish quickly.”
Jack Altman
CEO & Co-founder
,
Lattice
“I think I would say that I came in a skeptic and came out a convert. I hope that anyone who thought that they’re too analytical or logical to care about this stuff should know that another person who was on the fence had the experience of being deeply convinced how important this is.”
Jack Gardner
Founder & CEO
,
Kickoff
“LIT has been incredible at helping me understand all I can do to be a more effective leader, husband, and friend.”
Jason Blais
VP, Program Management
,
Mattermost, Inc
“LIT changed my perspectives on influence, emotional connection, vulnerability, understanding others on a more human level..profound skills in all aspects of your life be it work or personal. It's rare to see the opportunity to immediately apply your learnings in your life.”
Jason Brown
Co-founder & CEO
,
Tally
“As a human being, this is one of the most important things I’ve ever done.”
Jason Mayden
Co-founder & CEO
,
Super Heroic
“It is an experience that is solely designed with your growth and learning in mind. Trust the process. Find comfort in the ambiguity and let yourself be open and present to change.”
Jason Tan
Co-founder & CEO
,
Sift Science
Surprisingly, this program didn’t explicitly focus on improving my leadership. It mostly taught how to be a better person... and as a side effect, it would truly make the world a better place.”
Jeremy Liew
Partner
,
Lightspeed Venture Partners
“I came into LIT planning on trying out some new behaviors in a low risk environment. The behaviors worked but more importantly they resulted in me connecting with people in a whole new way, and revealed that some of my mental models and internal stories about myself were wildly out of date and incorrect.”
Jilliene Helman
CEO
,
Realty Mogul
“The ability to communicate effectively is an art. Leaders in Tech teaches you how to be Picasso.”
Jim Vesterman
CEO
,
Raptor
“LIT helped me to take a huge leap forward in my self-knowledge and interpersonal competencies.”
Joanna Chung
Co-founder & CEO
,
NectarVet
“LIT is worth every penny and minute. So many of the mental models I have learned to survive with in the business world no longer serve me in my leadership position today. Harnessing my emotions has created much richer, influential, lasting relationships for me - at work and in my personal life.”
John W. Danner
Angel Investor
,
Dunce Capital
“I had very little prior understanding of inter-personal dynamics. This program is mind-blowing in its intensity, which it needs to be in order to help you learn and practice life with full knowledge of how people respond to each other.”
John Waldmann
Founder & CEO
,
Homebase
“It was an incredibly broad experience that brought me closer to other founders in a way that helped me grow as a person... [LIT] created relationships I could not replicate anywhere else.”
Johnny Reinsch
Co-founder & CEO
,
Qwil
“Personally, the retreat forced growth in so many ways I’m forever changed. I’m happier (Kanjun said “warmer”) and my frame for the world is more positive.”
Jolie Sorge
Director of People Operations
,
X, the moonshot factory
The LIT workshops offered something valuable for everyone, with lasting effects. LIT's tools and approach provided accessible ways to share feedback without making it a heavy issue. Six months later, Xers are still actively referencing their learnings, which has resulted in more open conversations and much deeper connections across our entire organization.
Jonathan Matus
Founder & CEO
,
and company-changing
“The LIT experience has been instrumental in building the skillset and vocabulary necessary for creating authentic, meaningful connections at work and in my personal life. It gave me the tools necessary for leveling up Zendrive’s culture and left me energized, eager and well-equipped to lead my team to evolve into an even more remarkable company. I highly recommend it to any founder/CEO. Truly life changing (and company-changing) experience.”
Joseph Kitonga
Founder & CEO
,
Vitable Health
“LIT has been the most transformative experience that I’ve had. I was extremely uncomfortable, yet safe which led to such an amazing growth experience in so little time.”
Josh Brewer
Co-founder & CEO
,
Abstract
“It is difficult to describe how profoundly you will change if you are willing to go all in. ”
Jowanza Joseph
Founder & CEO
,
Parakeet Financial
"I realized the value of connection, emotion, and the ability to express one's emotions in the pursuit of clarity and connection. I learned so much, and I've benefited tremendously from it.”
Joyce Zhang
Dating Coach for High Performers
,
Joyce Consulting Group
“I appreciated having a group of LIT alumni who appreciated LIT so much that they returned. It meant that the group was more bought in more quickly, whereas in the first retreat I did we spent more time working through people’s skepticism about T-group. This environment helped us make faster progress in the alumni retreat.”
Justin Kan
Co-founder
,
YC/Twitch
“LIT changed the game for me. I was immediately able to put the emotional intelligence and awareness I learned to use with my team and in my life. LIT is a gift.”
Justin Kan
Co-founder
,
Twitch
"It was a huge uplevel for me as a leader and a human being and I recommend it to all my founder friends."
Kanjun Qiu
Co-founder & CEO
,
Sourceress
“I am a completely different person after this year. When I came in, I was unsure of myself, didn’t have conviction in my opinions or the company direction, and was saddled with the burden of wanting to be someone that others liked. Now, I am confident in myself, stand in my own conviction, and know where else I want to grow. It’s just a drastic difference.”
Kate Doerksen
Co-founder & CEO
,
Ditto
“Carole and Tony are masters at the craft of human interactions. I left the weekend feeling energized and am certain I’m a better leader.”
Kate Karas
Senior Advisor
,
Chime
“Leaders in Tech truly changed my life and my leadership. The program gave me the tools and perspective to “meet the moment” — whether in relationships, conflicts, or challenges — with clarity and connection.”
Kelly Pan
Co-founder & CEO
,
Impact Food
“I feel so grateful for this transformative experience where I learned so much about myself while connecting deeply with others. It not only helped me become a better leader for my team, but also a better person. I unlocked a superpower within myself - using my feelings to build authentic human connection.”
Kieran Snyder
Co-founder & CEO
,
Textio
“This helped much more with my feelings of loneliness than I would have thought possible.”
Kristen Hamilton
Co-founder & CEO
,
Koru
“The caliber of facilitators was incredible.”
Kulveer Taggar
Co-founder & CEO
,
Zeus
“It’s the closest thing we have to jedi mind training.”
Kurt Workman
Co-founder & CEO
,
Owlet Care
“I would highly recommend it and I feel grateful to have been a participant. It exposed me to a facet of leadership I have been neglecting. I left with a paradigm shift which I believe will help me be more effective as a leader and in my personal relationships.”
Lan Xuezhao
Founder and Managing Partner
,
Basis Set Ventures
“It’s worth the time away from my kids for 4 days, which I rarely say!”
Founder
FELLOWS PROGRAM
FOR FOUNDERS & CEOS
Series A to Pre-IPO (>$5M Raised)
Our flagship program for scaling founders. Features the core LIT Retreat plus 9 monthly peer-learning groups. (In-person and online hybrid)
Grove
FELLOWS PROGRAM
FOR EARLY STAGE FOUNDERS
Pre-Seed & Seed (<$5M last round)
Our dedicated program for early stage. Zero cash cost. LIT Core retreat in-person plus six learning groups by zoom to minimize travel.
Executive
FELLOWS PROGRAM
FOR EXECUTIVES
High Impact Senior Leaders
Our dedicated program for outstanding executive leaders. Features the core LIT Retreat plus 6 monthly peer-learning groups. (In-person and online hybrid)