How military veteran and entrepreneur Matt Brooks designed his next act through the Leadership & Society Initiative.
“If you’re already thinking about it, what are you waiting for?” That’s the advice Matt Brooks would give to anyone considering the Leadership & Society Initiative (LSI) to jump start their next chapter.
As a former Air Force officer, entrepreneur, and LSI Fellow, Matt is living proof that leadership doesn’t stop after the first half of life, it evolves. Originally from Tampa, Florida, Matt made the bold decision to move to Chicago for the fellowship, embracing the opportunity to reflect, learn, and grow through the LSI curriculum at UChicago.
Matt’s journey toward LSI began during a season of reflection and inflection. After more than 28 years of leadership in public service and private enterprise, including service as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force and as CEO of Lodging Access Systems, he stepped away from business ownership and spent over a year and a half discerning his next chapter on his own. “Candidly, I wasn’t making much progress,” he admits. “I wanted to return to my service-based roots and pursue purpose over profits.”
When Matt shared his idea of applying to LSI, it was his wife’s straightforward but profound words “Just do it.” that gave him the courage to take the leap. That moment changed everything.
Returning to the classroom for the first time in decades, Matt found the intellectual rigor of the LSI curriculum both challenging and invigorating. Reading classics like Plato and Aristotle rekindled a deep curiosity that had been dormant.
Among his most memorable experiences was a seminar with the Aspen Institute. “We went deep emotionally and intellectually and formed bonds as a cohort that I didn’t expect,” Matt recalls. “It was transformative.”
The LSI curriculum helped Matt align his strong core values of integrity, service, and excellence with his vision for future leadership. “It’s not just about your own values,” he reflects. “It’s about finding organizations that share them.”
Though separated from his family in Tampa, Matt quickly found a second home in Chicago, thanks to the community LSI fosters. “I didn’t know these people before, but they became like a second family,” Matt shares.
Through theater nights, city explorations, and countless moments of shared insight, the LSI cohort evolved from classmates into companions, bound by purpose. The city itself became a stage for connection and cultural immersion.
During LSI’s closing symposium, Matt announced the next chapter in his journey, “Second Echelon Capital.” Drawing on both his military background and entrepreneurial experience, Matt has launched a fund to support veterans who aspire to become small business owners.
“In the military, an echelon is a formation where one group leads and others support. The veterans acquiring businesses are the first echelon. My venture—Second Echelon Capital—is there to support them,” he explains. “We’re investing in veterans who want to acquire and grow small businesses, and we’ll provide the coaching and reinforcement they need to thrive.”
Matt sees LSI as part of a broader movement to redefine leadership in the second half of life. “We have so much more to give. LSI encourages us to harness our experiences and apply them to society’s greatest challenges.”
In Matt’s view, LSI offers more than a fellowship, it offers transformation. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. It helped me rediscover who I am and define the impact I want to make.” e
The University of Chicago Leadership and Society Initiative (LSI) supports accomplished leaders in successfully transitioning from their longstanding careers toward purposeful next chapters. LSI Fellows immerse themselves in UChicago’s unparalleled environment of big ideas and multigenerational dialogue, gaining frameworks for learning from their past and planning for their futures.
Through LSI’s rigorous and customizable curriculum, Fellows engage with eminent faculty and expert practitioners to explore how their next chapter can be meaningful for them and for society. This Fellowship is a commitment to personal growth, enduring wellness, and dynamic engagement with pressing societal issues.
Contact us to learn more about LSI.
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