Finding fulfillment, a successful CEO gives back

July 23, 2020


Center for Positive Organizations Impact Stories

Finding fulfillment, a successful CEO gives back

Roger Newton

“Seeing Magnify’s impact is absolutely inspiring. I have seen students discover their own positive identities and learn how to strengthen the workplace environment so that everyone can reach their potential.”

It was a chilly fall night when Roger Newton entered a local bookstore, desperate for some career inspiration and a warm drink. As he walked through the store he thought, “I need some help. I wish someone would just give me a sign.” That’s when he nearly tripped over the book Deep Change: Discovering the Leader Within.

Over the course of that weekend, Roger read the book cover to cover then reached out to the author, Robert E. Quinn. Bob, one of the co-founders of the Center for Positive Organizations (CPO), proudly introduced him to the Center and its researchers, programs, and students. That fortuitous exchange significantly altered Roger’s career path and dramatically changed his life for the better.

With Bob’s encouragement and a newfound purpose, Roger started Esperion Therapeutics. Over the next 5+ years, Esperion became a highly successful company with an innovative and positive workplace culture founded on the principles of Positive Organizational Scholarship.

Roger is determined to help others experience their own remarkable transformations and recognizes that his financial support of CPO can help make that happen. Roger is particularly interested in the success of students in the Magnify Immersion Program and has provided numerous student scholarships over the years.

“Seeing Magnify’s impact is absolutely inspiring. I have seen students discover their own positive identities and learn how to strengthen the workplace environment so that everyone can reach their potential. It’s especially powerful to witness the emergence of a future leader who is confident and believes they can make a positive difference in the world,” Roger explained.

“Magnify offers a learning environment unique to the college experience. It is where students are equipped to be leaders who will build more positive and productive workplaces and where they discover untapped possibilities and thrive.” The benefits don’t stop there. “As these positive capabilities—such as resilience, gratitude, and compassion—spill over into their personal lives, their lives become happier too,” he added.

Roger is thrilled to be a part of an organization that has enabled him to flourish. “It’s a joy to be involved. I’ll be with CPO as long as they’ll have me,” he said.

Roger Newton is the founder of Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. and an executive in residence of the Center for Positive Organizations.


This story and others appear in the Center for Positive Organizations 2020 Impact Report.