Play Your Position With Mary Lou Kayser

What happens when a star athlete with a leadership mindset steps into the world of business—starting at the front desk and rising to CEO? Well, Damon Lembi knows firsthand. Drafted by both the Atlanta Braves and the Yankees, he had his sights set on a professional baseball career. But when that path took an unexpected turn, he found himself in a completely different arena: the corporate world. Rather than leaning on family connections, Damon started as a receptionist at Learnit, the company his father co-founded. But with the same work ethic and drive that made him a leader on the field, he climbed the ranks—eventually stepping into the CEO role just as the dot-com bubble was about to burst. What followed was a crash course in resilience, reinvention, and redefining leadership for a new era. For over 30 years, Damon has been at the helm of Learnit, evolving it from a tech training company into a powerhouse for professional development. His insights on leadership, storytelling, and the future of work are shape