Rising Above: How FSC Alumnus Sean Mattson ’22, MBA ’24 Chose to be Refined, Not Defined
Jul 29, 2026
Receiving the Long Island Business News Emerging Leaders Under 30 Award marks a significant milestone for Florida Southern College alumnus Sean Mattson ’22, MBA ’24. The award recognizes young professionals making a tangible impact in their careers and communities. For Mattson, previously a student-athlete in lacrosse who graduated with an MBA from the Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise in 2024, the award reflects years of discipline, perseverance and a commitment to serving others through his work. Now as a sales trainer and coach at Mattson Enterprise Inc., a Sandler Training franchise, the recognition feels both grounding and validating.
“Personally, it's rewarding to know that the hard work, sacrifices and lessons I've experienced over the past several years have led to something meaningful,” Mattson reflects. “Professionally, it reminds me that leadership is all about continuing to grow while helping others grow alongside you. I don't see this award as the finish line. Instead, I see it as encouragement to keep learning, keep improving and continue making a positive impact on the people and organizations I have the privilege to work with.”
Mattson’s path to this point was anything but predictable. Like many recent grads, he initially had to navigate the quiet internal hurdles of building day-to-day confidence. But everything shifted dramatically in August 2023. At 23, Mattson suffered a stroke while at work, followed just weeks later by a heart procedure. Rather than allowing the experience to derail his future, he chose a different perspective.
“Rather than allowing those experiences to define me, I chose to let them refine me,” Mattson said.
Just two weeks after his heart surgery, Mattson returned to work with a renewed sense of purpose. By the end of the year, he took home Sandler's Rising Star Award and has since earned Sandler's Platinum Award, making him the youngest sales professional in the company's 59-year history to hit that mark.
Mattson credits Florida Southern with building the resilience that carried him through both his recovery and his career, pointing to two distinct experiences that taught him how to push through tough times. The first was his time as a Moc student-athlete.
“Being a part of the lacrosse program helped drive both discipline and commitment to doing what you need to push through adversity and get to the ultimate goal,” Mattson shared. “Early mornings, late nights and everything in between taught me that nothing in life comes easy.”
The second defining experience came in a senior-year data analytics course taught by Dr. Dapko. The material was completely outside his comfort zone, and the experience taught him that growth does not come from having all the answers, but instead from helping others learn alongside you, which is a philosophy that he carries into his leadership today.
“The best leaders I've had the opportunity to work with genuinely care about developing the people around them,” he said. “They understand that leadership isn't about being the smartest person in the room. It's about helping others become better.”
This philosophy shapes the advice he offers to Florida Southern MBA students: redefine failure, because complacency is the fastest way to stall a career. Reflecting on the importance of resilience, he shared his perspective that has guided him throughout his journey.
“Instead of saying, ‘I'm a failure,’ say, ‘I failed at this.’ There’s a huge difference,” Mattson said. “Every successful person has failed, but they are able to learn from it instead of letting it define them.”
Today, Mattson’s definition of success has shifted from measuring his achievements through titles and awards to living with purpose through his faith, serving others, and building meaningful relationships. Looking ahead, he encourages the entire Florida Southern community to push beyond their comfort zones by embracing challenges that build resilience, both personally and professionally.
“I'd rather fall short of a big goal and consider myself a failure than set a small goal just to achieve it and call myself successful,” Mattson said. “Aim high. You may not accomplish every goal you set, but you'll become far more capable in the pursuit of it than you ever would by playing it safe.”
“Personally, it's rewarding to know that the hard work, sacrifices and lessons I've experienced over the past several years have led to something meaningful,” Mattson reflects. “Professionally, it reminds me that leadership is all about continuing to grow while helping others grow alongside you. I don't see this award as the finish line. Instead, I see it as encouragement to keep learning, keep improving and continue making a positive impact on the people and organizations I have the privilege to work with.”
Mattson’s path to this point was anything but predictable. Like many recent grads, he initially had to navigate the quiet internal hurdles of building day-to-day confidence. But everything shifted dramatically in August 2023. At 23, Mattson suffered a stroke while at work, followed just weeks later by a heart procedure. Rather than allowing the experience to derail his future, he chose a different perspective.
“Rather than allowing those experiences to define me, I chose to let them refine me,” Mattson said.
Just two weeks after his heart surgery, Mattson returned to work with a renewed sense of purpose. By the end of the year, he took home Sandler's Rising Star Award and has since earned Sandler's Platinum Award, making him the youngest sales professional in the company's 59-year history to hit that mark.
Mattson credits Florida Southern with building the resilience that carried him through both his recovery and his career, pointing to two distinct experiences that taught him how to push through tough times. The first was his time as a Moc student-athlete.
“Being a part of the lacrosse program helped drive both discipline and commitment to doing what you need to push through adversity and get to the ultimate goal,” Mattson shared. “Early mornings, late nights and everything in between taught me that nothing in life comes easy.”
The second defining experience came in a senior-year data analytics course taught by Dr. Dapko. The material was completely outside his comfort zone, and the experience taught him that growth does not come from having all the answers, but instead from helping others learn alongside you, which is a philosophy that he carries into his leadership today.
“The best leaders I've had the opportunity to work with genuinely care about developing the people around them,” he said. “They understand that leadership isn't about being the smartest person in the room. It's about helping others become better.”
This philosophy shapes the advice he offers to Florida Southern MBA students: redefine failure, because complacency is the fastest way to stall a career. Reflecting on the importance of resilience, he shared his perspective that has guided him throughout his journey.
“Instead of saying, ‘I'm a failure,’ say, ‘I failed at this.’ There’s a huge difference,” Mattson said. “Every successful person has failed, but they are able to learn from it instead of letting it define them.”
Today, Mattson’s definition of success has shifted from measuring his achievements through titles and awards to living with purpose through his faith, serving others, and building meaningful relationships. Looking ahead, he encourages the entire Florida Southern community to push beyond their comfort zones by embracing challenges that build resilience, both personally and professionally.
“I'd rather fall short of a big goal and consider myself a failure than set a small goal just to achieve it and call myself successful,” Mattson said. “Aim high. You may not accomplish every goal you set, but you'll become far more capable in the pursuit of it than you ever would by playing it safe.”