EP. 112: From Refugee to National Leader: The Van Ton-Quinlivan Story
Sat Dec 06 2025
What can a first-generation refugee teach us about courageous, purpose-driven leadership?
Andrew Tallents interviews Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health and national expert in workforce development. Van shares her childhood journey escaping Vietnam, her parents’ resilience, and the experiences that shaped her mission to expand opportunity for others. She reflects on leading the largest community college system in the US, founding a nonprofit now active in 10 states, and learning to lead through influence rather than authority.
Van also discusses the demographic reality facing healthcare, the shrinking working-age population, and the urgent need to rethink how society values and rewards caregivers.
Key Topics
Purpose-driven leadershipLeading through influenceHow to take feedback wellWorkforce development modelsHealthcare staffing challengesLeadership storytellingAligning work with purpose
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
00:27 Van’s background
03:00 Taiko drumming and hobbies
04:20 Childhood, Vietnam War, and resilience
08:30 Finding courage to lead and start over
13:00 Learning to accept feedback
17:30 Early career lessons
21:00 Aligning purpose and work
28:00 Workforce partnerships
32:00 Becoming more human as a leader
35:00 The future of healthcare
38:00 How to connect with Van
Guest Bio
Van Ton-Quinlivan is the CEO of Futuro Health, former Executive Vice Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, author, podcaster, and national leader in workforce development. Her work has been featured by WHO, BBC, the UN General Assembly, and G7 Canada.
Connect with Van Ton-Quinlivan:
Connect with Van Ton-Quinlivan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vtquinlivan/Write to Van: partnership@futurohealth.orgCheck Van’s website: https://futurohealth.org/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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What can a first-generation refugee teach us about courageous, purpose-driven leadership? Andrew Tallents interviews Van Ton-Quinlivan, CEO of Futuro Health and national expert in workforce development. Van shares her childhood journey escaping Vietnam, her parents’ resilience, and the experiences that shaped her mission to expand opportunity for others. She reflects on leading the largest community college system in the US, founding a nonprofit now active in 10 states, and learning to lead through influence rather than authority. Van also discusses the demographic reality facing healthcare, the shrinking working-age population, and the urgent need to rethink how society values and rewards caregivers. Key Topics Purpose-driven leadershipLeading through influenceHow to take feedback wellWorkforce development modelsHealthcare staffing challengesLeadership storytellingAligning work with purpose TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Van’s background 03:00 Taiko drumming and hobbies 04:20 Childhood, Vietnam War, and resilience 08:30 Finding courage to lead and start over 13:00 Learning to accept feedback 17:30 Early career lessons 21:00 Aligning purpose and work 28:00 Workforce partnerships 32:00 Becoming more human as a leader 35:00 The future of healthcare 38:00 How to connect with Van Guest Bio Van Ton-Quinlivan is the CEO of Futuro Health, former Executive Vice Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, author, podcaster, and national leader in workforce development. Her work has been featured by WHO, BBC, the UN General Assembly, and G7 Canada. Connect with Van Ton-Quinlivan: Connect with Van Ton-Quinlivan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vtquinlivan/Write to Van: partnership@futurohealth.orgCheck Van’s website: https://futurohealth.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.