Guest Gregory Papajohn, Dartmouth '96, had thought that Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service would be the way to live out the service ethos that he’d grown up with. But, even for a kid who lived in the shadow of Manhattan, he realized during a visit to D.C. that urban life didn’t seem to fit his idea of college. Dartmouth’s setting provided him with a groundedness that he still relies on to help him make big decisions.

A government major, Gregory interned at a law firm during a leave term and went back to law after graduation. Even as he was taking the LSATs, he knew the round-the-clock grindstone was not something he relished. But it was only after law school and a moonlighting gig that introduced him to investor relations did he realize there were other ways to exercise the advocacy muscle. He pounded the pavements for a way into a new career in public relations.

He made a name for himself promoting his large, established financial services clients. But the financial crisis of 2007 made him reexamine the type of companies that were deserving of his efforts. He was pulled more toward fintech and social entrepreneurship. And when he found that his agency wasn’t giving their clients agency at all, he realized he had a better model and pursued it.

In this episode, find out from Gregory how the disruptors to the establishment can sometimes be the ones to follow and then to emulate on ROADS TAKEN...with Leslie Jennings Rowley.

About This Episode's Guest

Gregory Papajohn is a public relations expert with a history of serving big established financial players. After pivoting, he founded the Archie Group, a public relations, marketing and advisory-services firm that helps fintech and other emerging business position themselves in the market, acquire customers and partners, and develop reputational capital. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and three children.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings Rowley

Music: Brian Burrows

Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com

Email the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com

Find more episodes at https://roadstakenshow.com

Executive Producer/Host: Leslie Jennings Rowley

Music: Brian Burrows

Email the show at RoadsTakenShow@gmail.com

Sense of Agency: Gregory Papajohn on helping the disruptors and becoming one

Roads Taken