Business
Bernard Hurley
Talk about breaking bad. Bernard Hurley was locked up in a maximum security prison.

Year Honored
2025
Organization
Vanderbilt University
Category
Thought Leader
Talk about breaking bad. Bernard Hurley was locked up in a maximum security prison - serving what he thought would be a life sentence. Yet now he is one of the most successful business leaders and philanthropists in the state of Colorado.
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How did he turn it all around?
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If you want to learn about resilience - I mean, really learn what it takes to bounce back from extreme failure - don't just read a book and call it a day. Instead, listen to Hurley's lessons and insight. From solitary confinement in a maximum security prison to one of the most successful real estate developers in Colorado history, Hurley embodies resilience and passion, and shares practical advice for all of us, whether you're just getting out of prison or have a Harvard MBA and on the CEO track at your company.​
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His center for autism and innovation is helping people reach their full human potential.


