Nat Robinson knows what it means to be epic. He is unafraid to be audacious when necessary. And he understands how to take a chance on something that might seem, to some, even preposterous. Nat, after all, has taken bold entrepreneurial risks–even in times of deep ambiguity and uncertainty. From raising investments at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to pioneering innovative ventures in uncharted sectors, Nat’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to resilience and vision–and, despite the challenges, he has consistently emerged with successful ventures and invaluable insights.
Nat, who was recently featured on Episode 20 of Scott Marshall’s AS UNEXPECTED podcast, shared his incredible story. A Semester at Sea (SAS) alum, attorney, and social entrepreneur, Nat has worn many hats. He was the CEO and founder of Juhudi Kilimo Company, a microfinance organization serving rural Kenyan farmers, and the co-founder of Leaf Global Fintech, which develops blockchain solutions for refugees without smartphones. Today, Nat is co-founder of Terraton, a climate tech startup focused on making carbon removal “universal, accessible, and profitable.”
Throughout his career, Nat has connected his entrepreneurial endeavors to the transformative experience he had as a Semester at Sea student. “Climate tech, blockchain, agricultural microfinance—I can tie it all back to Semester at Sea,” he told Scott. While studying at Colorado College, Nat embarked on his SAS voyage, an experience he described as “phenomenal” and “life-changing. I came back [from SAS] with my eyes open to the world and so much more confidence,” he said. With a newly solidified mission to use business and commerce tools to achieve social goals, especially those goals that alleviate poverty and improve the environment, Nat was inspired to create enterprises that truly make a difference in the world, and he has pushed forward on that mission ever since.
However, Nat’s path hasn’t been without challenges. True to the mission of the AS UNEXPECTED podcast—to explore how leaders show up as their best selves amid uncertainty—Nat reflected with Scott on the hurdles he’s faced. “Every other month, there’s something unexpected as an entrepreneur,” he shared. For instance, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, a key round of funding for Leaf Global Fintech fell through as borders closed and investors hesitated. “It just collapsed,” Nat recalled. Yet, he pushed forward. “[You have to] keep going, keep pushing, and get up the next day,” he said. Rather than focusing on the negatives, Nat leaned into perseverance, believing that obstacles are often not as insurmountable as they initially may seem.
Scott, as the leader of an epic global study-abroad program that is often subject to change and global challenges, could relate to this mindset. He posed a powerful question to Nat: “[What do you do when] you can see the destination, but the path there has radically shifted? What is it that really allows you to persist when these trees fall over the pathway and, suddenly, you have to cut a whole new path to the destination?” For Nat, the answer lies in an unwavering belief in your “mission and passion,” he said. “There’s always a way around that tree, and there’s always another path–you’d be surprised how many walls aren’t really walls.”
Of course, this is a potentially preposterous thought to some–that the roadblocks set in front of us just aren’t really so at all–and that you will still make it through, as long as you continue pushing forward with passion. But, as Scott emphasized in his Spring 2025 State of the Institute address, boldness and a belief in seemingly impossible ideas are powerful–and often integral to success. “There is a reason that there is only one Semester at Sea; it is a bit preposterous,” Scott said. “Why do we–at the Institute for Shipboard Education–commit to a program that may seem preposterous? To deliver something that is epic? To strive for the audacious? My answer? I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else!” It’s this passion (and an unwavering belief in the SAS mission) that keeps Scott believing and moving forward–just as Nat has done when things go unexpectedly.
For anyone who believes in taking big risks to achieve major impacts, you’ll love the rest of Scott’s conversation with Nat Robinson! Check out Episode 20, Building Successful Social Enterprises…Again and Again, to hear more from this engaging conversation.
To explore all episodes of the AS UNEXPECTED podcast, visit the episode page here. To learn more about the AS UNEXPECTED leadership model, developed by Scott Marshall, President and CEO of the Institute for Shipboard Education, visit the podcast’s website here.
