Chris Cooper, CEO of sustainable aviation fuel company XCF Global, shares powerful insights on curiosity and adaptability during the Reed and Christine Halladay Executive Lecture Series.
Chris shared lessons about building a career, remaining curious, and finding purpose through experience.
Chris began by discussing his early career with Chevron and how his interest in aviation eventually led him to become a professional pilot. Throughout his career, he intentionally gained experience across many areas of business, including strategy, operations, management, and commercial development. He explained that having experience across different functions gave him a broader perspective and helped prepare him for leadership roles.
A major theme of Chris’s message was that careers are not always linear. He explained that careers are often built sideways through different experiences and opportunities, rather than following one direct path. He encouraged students not to view a change in direction as failure, emphasizing, “Changing course is not giving up.” Sometimes, he explained, pursuing a long-term goal may look very different from what was originally imagined.
Chris also emphasized the importance of staying curious. He discussed how personal biases can influence the way people approach problems and opportunities, potentially limiting their ability to grow. Remaining curious, asking questions, and being willing to challenge assumptions can help individuals recognize opportunities they might otherwise overlook.
Throughout the lecture, Chris repeatedly returned to the idea of starting with the end in mind. He encouraged students to think about where they ultimately want to go and then use their experiences to build toward that destination. Rather than trying to have every step of a career figured out, students can focus on gaining experiences that move them closer to their larger purpose.
Chris closed with a thought that summarized much of his message: “Purpose appears when experience meets a problem worth solving.” His perspective encouraged students to recognize that purpose often develops through the experiences and challenges they encounter throughout their careers.
The Woodbury School of Business thanks Chris Cooper for sharing his experience and
perspective with UVU students. His message reinforced the value of curiosity, adaptability,
and using each experience as an opportunity to build toward a meaningful career.
Want to catch every insight from this year’s Halladay Lecture Series?
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL FALL 2026 HALLADAY LECTURE SERIES SPEAKERS HERE.
Watch Chris Cooper's full lecture below.
