Cole: What would you say is the primary motivating factor behind your leadership?
position or influence. My father had a work ethic that I admired deeply and was successful as a businessman because of it. My Grandfather was a very successful businessman and pillar of the community in Houston TX where I was raised. Well known for his philanthropy and ability to connect with anyone which is another quality that I admired deeply and try to emulate. There is a quote that says “you know when you have been in the presence of great men because you leave them larger” that is how people felt about my grandfather. I met James Farmer Jr. while a student at Wiley University, a Historically Black College & University (HBCU), founded in 1873 in Marshall Tx. Mr. Farmer, also a Wiley Alumni, was a American civil rights activist and leader in the Civil Rights Movement who pushed for nonviolent protest to dismantle segregation, and served alongside Martin Luther King Jr. He was the initiator and organizer of the first Freedom Ride in 1961, which eventually led to the desegregation
Gardner: The driving force behind my leadership is a genuine desire to foster growth and opportunity for others. I believe leadership is not about authority, but about creating an environment where individuals can thrive, reach their potential, and feel empowered to contribute meaningfully. At every step of my career, my focus has been on building systems and cultures that prioritize people, authenticity, and equity. Cole: Who are your role models, and what life- changing lessons did you pick up from them? Gardner: I am inspired by individuals like my late father, grandfather, and James Farmer Jr. These are the men that lead with integrity and treated everyone with dignity, regardless of their
Photo: McBoat Photography
26 The Acumen
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