Utah Valley University welcomed Pronto Head of Operations and UVU alum Taylor Napierski to the Halladay Lecture Series, where he shared six lessons on leadership, grit, and growth—including his guiding mantra: Be kind. Work hard. Stay humble.
Taylor has spent his career building powerhouse operations teams at companies such as ZocDoc and ZipRecruiter, and now leads Operations at Pronto, where he focuses on helping teams communicate faster and work smarter. Known for blending an entrepreneurial mindset with operational precision, Taylor thrives at the intersection of vision and execution.
Originally from Utah and a proud UVU graduate, Taylor shared fond memories of his time on campus—reflecting that one of the most valuable lessons he learned while here was that “your experience is what you make of it.” During his college years, he worked as a janitor from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., an experience that taught him grit and humility. The youngest of eight children, Taylor credited his parents for instilling a strong work ethic and deep family values.
A self-proclaimed minimalist, Taylor joked that he owns only five t-shirts and three pairs of pants, keeping life simple and focused. When asked what he would put on a blank billboard, he suggested something to the effect of nobody really has it all figured out—a reminder that we’re all making informed decisions and adapting quickly as we go.
Taylor shared six key lessons that have shaped both his career and personal philosophy...
Great ideas matter, but outcomes matter more. Taylor shared a story about running the Dead Horse ultramarathon without training, while his friend trained diligently. His friend finished hours earlier and even had time for dinner before meeting Taylor at the finish line—an example of how preparation and consistent effort always beat enthusiasm alone.
The wrong hire costs more than money—it costs momentum. Quoting humorously, “An interview is just two people in a room lying to each other,” Taylor emphasized the importance of hiring authentic, dependable people. He praised the culture at Pronto, saying, “When you hire good people, you can do amazing things. It’s not about being flashy.”
Taylor encouraged students to make time for difficult conversations—the ones that often feel uncomfortable but lead to growth and resolution. “If something feels wrong, it probably is,” he said.
Every founder believes their product is perfect, but Taylor reminded the audience that “evidence beats assumptions.” He emphasized the importance of humility and data-driven decision-making. “Sometimes your baby is ugly,” he said with a grin.
Clarity beats creativity when communicating. To demonstrate, Taylor invited a student on stage for a “Twinkie experiment.” After eating three Twinkies, the student admitted they no longer tasted good—just fluff. Taylor used this as a metaphor for overcomplicating communication: keep it simple, clear, and meaningful.
Taylor concluded by encouraging students to focus on contribution over recognition. “Be quiet, and when you speak, people will listen,” he said. The more value you create, the more trust and respect you earn.
He closed his lecture with three guiding principles that reflect both his personal and professional philosophy:
Be kind. Work hard. Stay humble.
The Woodbury School of Business extends its sincere gratitude to Taylor Napierski for sharing his time, wisdom, and energy with UVU students. We wish him continued success as he leads and inspires through his work at Pronto and beyond.
Want to catch every insight from this year’s Halladay Lecture Series?
Watch Taylor Napierski's full lecture below.
