Jan Ackley: His inspirational story of going from searching for loose change to meaningful change! Poverty to CEO in the Banking industry!

This episode is a truly inspiring story of resilience, perseverance, transformation, and the power of making pivotal choices.

Dr. Monica Sanford, DNP and retired Marine Lt Col David Sanford are joined by Air Force and Ohio Air National Guard veteran Jan Ackley.

Jan’s story begins in the hills of Appalachia, where he was raised by a single mother and grew up knowing what it meant to live with very little. Money was scarce, opportunities were limited, and there were moments when finding loose change in a car could make a difference.

Through military service, mentorship, perseverance, and a willingness to make difficult life choices, Jan went from those humble beginnings to nearly 40 years as a commercial banking executive—and ultimately to his current role as CEO of one of Utah’s largest banks.

In his new book, Searching for Change, Jan shares the journey behind that transformation: from literally searching for loose change to searching for meaningful change in his life and, ultimately, helping create change for others.

Today, we’ll talk about growing up in Appalachia, the culture shock of entering military service, imposter syndrome, the mentors who helped shape his path, and what the military and business world taught him about people, leadership, and financial fundamentals. Most importantly, we’ll talk about the choices that can change the trajectory of a life. Because Jan’s story reminds us of something we all need to hear: Your start does not determine where you finish. So put down what you're doing, lean in, and listen to this incredible story of Searching for Change with Jan Ackley.