"Why Not Me, Why Not Now?": Lessons in Leadership and Innovation from David Adelman at CWA
At the 2025 Conference on World Affairs, the Center for Leadership interviewed David Adelman, an entrepreneur, investor, and thought leader whose career defies conventional boundaries. As CEO of Campus Apartments, co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, and the visionary behind several startups, including CredAI, Adelman offered a compelling case for what modern leadership looks like when rooted in action, impact, and integrity.
His message, centered on the question “Why not me, why not now?”, challenged the audience to stop waiting for permission or perfect timing. Instead, he encouraged us to step into bold action, especially when faced with uncertainty.
Innovation: Building Solutions in Unlikely Spaces
Adelman’s entrepreneurial journey began with student housing, an industry many overlook as mundane. But where others saw outdated infrastructure and logistical headaches, Adelman saw potential. He transformed Campus Apartments into one of the nation’s largest student housing providers, prioritizing thoughtful design, long-term community value, and operational excellence.
More recently, with the launch of CredAI, he tackled a different kind of challenge: empowering young adults with no credit history to enter the financial world with confidence. In both ventures, the pattern is clear, Adelman sees opportunity where others see roadblocks. His approach to innovation is grounded in purpose: solving real problems, for real people.
Impact: Leadership Starts with People
“Create environments where people feel valued,” Adelman shared, a simple but powerful philosophy that underpins his leadership style. Especially in challenging times, he believes the true measure of a leader is how they show up for their people.
He reminded the audience that leadership isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about showing up with empathy, accountability, and a willingness to listen. When leaders prioritize people, he argues, success follows naturally.
Leadership: Trust, Mentorship, and Humility
Adelman rejects micromanagement in favor of something more powerful: trust. He surrounds himself with smart, capable people, and lets them do what they do best. His humility is evident in the way he speaks about his mentors, even now, and how he approaches mentorship as a lifelong journey, not a one-time experience.
To aspiring leaders, he offered a few lasting takeaways:
- Take care of yourself and your people. Sustainable leadership starts with well-being.
- Failure is inevitable. The key is learning from it and avoiding the same mistake twice.
- Don’t delay hard conversations. “Bad news doesn’t get better with time,” he warned—procrastination only magnifies problems.