In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Jacob Soter, Director of Swim Smart Technologies, to unpack why trust, humility, and resilience are essential when leadership decisions carry real-life consequences. Jacob shares his journey from engineering student to leading nationwide water safety innovation, revealing how listening first, collaborating deeply, and owning mistakes builds trust that lasts.

The conversation explores leadership under pressure, learning from failure, personal resilience shaped by adversity, and why humility not ego is the foundation for sustainable impact. This episode is a powerful reminder that strong leadership isn’t about having all the answers it’s about earning trust so mistakes don’t break you or the people you serve.

Jacob Soter is the co-founder and Managing Director of SwimSmart Technology LLC, a Michigan-based company specializing in automated beach safety systems to prevent drownings. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering (2019) and a Master of Business Administration (2020) from Michigan Technological University, where he participated in the SENSE Enterprise Program.

Inspired by presentations on beach safety inefficiencies at the 2017 Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium conference, Soter pivoted from initial concepts in water safety drones to developing data-driven warning technologies integrated with National Weather Service forecasts.

Under his leadership, SwimSmart has expanded to deployments across beaches around the United States and a first reaching Canada. A NOAA Weather Ready Nation Ambassador, Soter received the 2024 Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium's Superhero of the Year award for his contributions to drowning prevention.

Connect with Jacob:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-soter-swimsmart/