Planting the seed with Jonathan Lindberg ’04 G’18 | Today at Elon
A recent career advancement has inspired Lindberg to contemplate his time at Elon as both an undergraduate and, nearly fifteen years later, a masters in business administration graduate.
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Jonathan Lindberg’s ’04 G’18 father has been a forester his entire life. So, even though Lindberg decided to attend Elon University on a whim three days before fall classes began, it felt inevitable in hindsight.
“I grew up literally and figuratively in the outdoors,” Lindberg says. “Planting my tree after graduating in 2004 from undergraduate studies was impactful, and getting the opportunity to do so again after receiving my MBA almost 15 years later was something I very much looked forward to.”
Like his two oaks, Lindberg’s career is also thriving. This fall, he was promoted to head of development operations at G1 Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to creating cutting-edge cancer treatments. This career advancement inspired him to reflect on his time at Elon.
As a double major in accounting and business administration, Lindberg took advantage of Elon’s cross-curricular approach. From dissecting cadavers to participating in a black box theater production, Lindberg tried it all. This, paired with the diverse people he met at Elon, provided Lindberg with a dynamic understanding of the world.
“[But] what Elon provided more than anything was a foundation of interpersonal skills intermixed with basic technical and educational abilities that positioned me to be able to insert myself into a variety of environments where I could quickly and easily become comfortable,” he said. “I like to think of my time at Elon as when I ‘learned how to learn.’”
These experiences and Lindberg’s professional aspirations compelled him to return to campus for an MBA in 2015. Lindberg continued to progress in the life sciences with the help of his master’s degree and was recruited to G1 Therapeutics in 2022.
“The most rewarding part of the G1 story has been seeing the growth in the number of patients that are receiving our product,” he says. “Knowing that patients are waiting inspires us to bring our very best each and every day.”
Even as his career advances, Lindberg remains involved with his alma mater through the Martha & Spencer Love School of Business Graduate Alumni Board.
“It has been great to be engaged with the University at a different level – seeing the passion and ambition shared by the leaders of the LSB to continue to develop a thriving program is truly inspiring,” said Lindberg.
His experiences with Elon over the past two decades have proven to him the value of an Elon education.
“What truly helps Elon alumni stand out is that they are exceptionally well rounded, aware of the world around them, and generally more dynamic,” he said. “I think this is a byproduct of the engaged learning practices on campus. I’ve heard the same from many past colleagues and business leaders.”
In addition to taking advantage of all Elon has to offer, Lindberg advises current students to follow where their passions lead. “Do your best to get as deep and wide of a basic foundational understanding,” he said. “Then, aggressively pursue whatever provides you with the most motivation and excitement.”
“You’re one thousand times better regretting having done something than not having the courage to say yes to something,” he adds. “This is the time to think big, explore, pursue passions and take chances.”
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