What elite athletes and business leaders have in common

On the face of it, a CEO seated at the head of a conference table in the middle of a high-stakes meeting may not have much in common with an alpine skier poised to push off at breakneck speed down a treacherous mountain. 

Look closer, though, and the parallels are hard to miss. Both have prepared for this moment. Both have learned how to think on their feet and to act with as much judgment as speed. Both know that everything hinges on what they do next. 

This connection resonates with Ron Kruszewski, chairman and CEO of Stifel Financial Corp. Since 2022, Stifel has been the title partner of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, a partnership that has expanded from the U.S. Alpine Ski Team to encompass the Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s alpine, cross-country, freeski, freestyle, ski jumping, Nordic combined and Para alpine teams. The alliance has been extended through 2034 and will encompass three Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.   

Kruszewski is a longtime trustee of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team Foundation and has been a dedicated supporter of the sport for decades. He has hosted the foundation’s annual fundraiser in St. Louis for 11 years. At the most recent event in September 2026, a record $1.35 million was raised for the support and development of athletes.  

For Stifel, the partnership is about more than corporate sponsorship. It reflects an affinity with the sport and its highly trained athletes — and a recognition of qualities that are equally relevant in business: discipline, precision and resilience. 

“The athletes pursue excellence with the same fervor we do, and we are proud to support them,” Kruszewski said at the September fundraiser. 

At the highest levels of competition, talent alone is not enough. Stifel ambassador Mikaela Shiffrin, the most award-winning alpine skier in World Cup history, has built her record-setting career on years of training, sacrifice and consistency. In business, those same qualities can be critical when an important decision may not show rewards for years. 

Perseverance matters, too. Elite athletes inevitably encounter setbacks — whether injuries, disappointing results or unforeseen changes in circumstances. What distinguishes them is the ability to regroup. Business leaders face their own versions of uncertainty, from shifting markets to unexpected challenges, and must also make decisions without always knowing what lies ahead. 

Perhaps the most important commonality, however, is the ability to think beyond the immediate goal. An athlete can spend years preparing for a race that lasts only minutes. A business leader can spend years building a company whose performance is measured quarter by quarter. In both cases, the next result matters — but so does what comes after it. 

That long-term perspective is particularly important for professional athletes, whose competitive careers can be relatively short. As part of its partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard, Stifel has supported career and financial education designed to help athletes develop savings and investing strategies. The goal is to help athletes think about their financial future with the same discipline they bring to their athletic careers. 

In that sense, the connection between elite athletes and business leaders is not simply about forging ahead. It is about preparation, making smart decisions under pressure, learning from setbacks and keeping sight of the bigger picture — even when the next move involves taking a deep breath and flying off the top of a snow-capped mountain. 

Visit stifel.com for more information. 

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