John Bryson SVP of Startup Services and Venture Banking, Banc of California —Skate to Where the Puck Is Going

In this episode, we sit down with John Bryson , Senior Vice President of Startup Services and Venture Banking at Banc of California, to explore his unconventional Catalyst journey—one that has been anything but linear. Inspired by Wayne Gretzky’s famous advice to “skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been,” John shares how his career has been shaped by a series of strategic pivots, each driven by an intentional process of testing hypotheses about emerging market shifts.

From the early days of his career in media and entertainment—where he boldly pitched a move into digital media before his company even recognized its potential—to his current leadership in venture banking, John reveals the mindset and strategies that have helped him drive change from the bleeding edge. He highlights three critical lessons for Catalysts looking to influence and lead transformation:

- Do the hard work first

– Build deep credibility by excelling in your current role.

- Make the business case

– Connect your vision to the metrics and priorities that matter to decision-makers.

Test hypotheses intentionally – Design experiments that create value and generate learning for everyone.

John’s insights remind us that the Catalyst path often requires moving across industries, creating new roles, and facing plenty of rejection before breaking through. And when you do get that “yes”? John suggests one of the most powerful things you can ask is: “Why did you say yes?”—so you can double down on what works.

Join us for this inspiring conversation as we explore how Catalysts can navigate uncertainty, challenge the status quo, and create meaningful impact by skating toward the future.