“I didn’t want to just evaluate businesses. I wanted to help build them.” Early in his career, Noel Watson ’97 came to a realization that would fundamentally shape how he operates as a leader: insight alone isn’t enough - impact requires a voice. “I realized that having a point of view doesn’t matter if you’re not willing to put it on the table,” he says. “Once I started speaking up - sharing ideas, challenging assumptions - that’s when things really started to change for me.” That shift became a defining moment. By leaning into discomfort and taking measured risks, Noel accelerated his trajectory and developed a leadership style grounded in engagement, accountability, and action. Today, he serves as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at @legalzoom, where he has helped lead the company through a period of significant evolution, including its 2021 initial public offering. His path to that role, however, was anything but conventional. This Friday, Noel will receive t...