Ultradent SVP Sean Kennedy returned to UVU to share career lessons on curiosity, initiative, purpose, and building meaningful professional relationships.
UVU was honored to welcome Sean Kennedy, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Ultradent Products, as this week’s guest speaker for the Reed and Christine Halladay Lecture Series.
Sean, a proud Wolverine, reflected on how his time in Utah Valley helped shape his early career perspective. In 2007, he landed an interview at Ultradent Products, an opportunity that would mark the start of a nearly twenty-year journey that has led him to his current role overseeing a global marketing team and helping build one of the world’s most recognized dental brands.
To start, Sean took students back to 2007 with a fun quiz highlighting that year’s music, movies, and cultural moments. He also touched on the Great Recession, drawing parallels between that time and the world we live in today. His message was to connect the similarities between both eras and share the lessons and actions that helped him prepare for and successfully navigate that challenging period.
Sean shared four principles that have shaped his career and leadership style:
1. Go Above and Beyond
2. Build Relationships Before You Need Them
3. Find Your Purpose
4. Keep Learning
Sean talked about the value of doing work no one asks you to do. Early on, he took a job that required knowledge of pivot tables, something he didn’t yet know. Instead of shying away, he bought a book, taught himself, and quickly became known as the office expert. That reputation for reliability and initiative became a defining part of his career.
He also noticed that Ultradent didn’t have a strong brand identity at the time, so he took the initiative to create one. Years later, that brand is now recognized around the world as one of the top five most familiar dental brands.
He encouraged students to take initiative and push past what’s expected, sharing the following advice from his presentation slides:
His additional advice to students was to do one thing each week that isn’t technically part of your job but adds value, whether that’s a new idea, a better process, or a small improvement. That’s how you get noticed.
Sean emphasized the importance of building genuine connections before you ever need to ask for help. His go-to question is simple but powerful: “Is there anything I can help you with?” It breaks down barriers and builds authentic relationships.
He shared a story about Callie, someone who built a great connection with him long before there was an opening on his team. When a position eventually opened, she was the first person he thought of, and she got the job. Sean used this example to show that relationships built on trust and authenticity can open doors in unexpected ways.
Sean encouraged students to find work that excites them. At Ultradent, he has helped turn what might seem like “boring” dental products into something people actually talk about, including a campaign where his team sent one of their products to space to show how durable it was. The campaign took off and boosted sales, proving that creativity and purpose can make any job exciting.
For Sean, his purpose is about helping better humanity. He is passionate about building products that improve health and well-being and believes that when you align your work with your values, you can make even ordinary things extraordinary.
Sean wrapped up by talking about the importance of staying curious. What you know today, he said, will not keep you relevant forever. The key is to keep learning and adapting.
He also touched on the rise of AI in business, pointing out that most professionals are still trying to figure it out. For students, this is a huge advantage. “While others are afraid of it,” he said, “you can be the ones who figure out how to make it work.”
The Woodbury School of Business is grateful to Sean Kennedy for sharing his time and insights with UVU students. His message of growth, curiosity, and courage reminded students that success often begins with showing up, stepping outside their comfort zone, and pursuing their goals with purpose and creativity. His story was an inspiring reminder that initiative and lifelong learning can open doors to new opportunities.
We wish Sean continued success in all he is doing and hope to welcome him back to campus again soon.
Want to catch every insight from this year’s Halladay Lecture Series?
Watch Sean Kennedy's full lecture below.
