For Karl Peterson, opportunity begins with preparation. What comes next requires the courage to act.
That message guided the Holy Cross College trustee, entrepreneur and investor’s appearance at the Leading the Holy Cross Way series on Oct. 9 in Driscoll Auditorium. Speaking to students, faculty, staff and campus visitors, Peterson drew on lessons from competitive swimming, Wall Street and business leadership to encourage his audience to embrace challenges and learn from setbacks.
A South Bend native and graduate of Riley High School and the University of Notre Dame, Peterson brings nearly three decades of experience in private equity, entrepreneurship and investment leadership. He co-founded online travel company Hotwire and held senior leadership roles with TPG, including managing partner of TPG Europe and senior partner of TPG Capital. Today, he leads KP Three Capital, overseeing public, private and real estate investments, and serves on Holy Cross College’s Board of Trustees.
Introducing Peterson, President Dr. Marco J. Clark emphasized the experience he brings to the College community.
“Throughout his career, he’s built teams, he’s guided organizations through growth and change, and he’s helped create significant value for companies and investors,” Clark said.
Clark connected Peterson’s entrepreneurial journey to the Holy Cross tradition of recognizing needs and pursuing a greater good.
Peterson traced his own outlook to the coaches, teachers and family members who shaped his life. His high school swim coach taught him that preparation puts people in a position to seize opportunities. The discipline he developed in the pool carried into the classroom and his career.
“You’ve got to keep that balance, you’ve got tomake the priorities, but success within yourself is contagious,” Peterson said.
He described how consistent effort builds momentum: better results strengthen confidence, raise ambitions and create new opportunities. Early in his career, he sought demanding assignments because they offered a chance to learn and grow.
That willingness to stretch became especially important as an entrepreneur. Drawing on his experience building Hotwire and navigating the disruption following Sept. 11, Peterson emphasized the responsibility to confront problems, make decisions and move forward.
He encouraged students to take thoughtful risks and treat mistakes as opportunities to improve.
“Fail quickly, learn from it, and move on, and keep moving,” Peterson said.
For students entering a workplace increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, Peterson stressed the value of communication, relationships and independent thinking. Understanding technology matters, he said, but so does questioning information, exercising judgment and bringing people together.
“Relationship skills are more critical than ever,” he said.
His advice extended to the choices students make now, including seeking experiences that challenge their confidence and strengthen their ability to communicate.
“Put yourself in uncomfortable situations,” Peterson said. “You learn more from harder than you do from the things that are easy.”