Shmuel Goodman didn’t come to St. Louis to talk theory—he came to tell the truth. About going broke. About beating cancer. About rebuilding a life with purpose, faith and accountability.
As the featured guest of Ignite YP’s Staenberg Speaker Series, Goodman helped close out the 2025 season with a story that was anything but ordinary. His personal journey from bankruptcy to building a successful investment advisory firm, The Nestegg Group, left an impression. But his message wasn’t just about money—it was about meaning.
“I want them to know we’re all ambassadors of G-d,” Goodman told the room of young Jewish students and professionals ages 22 to 35. “Although I look like a rabbi, I grew up in a Reform Jewish home. My journey is applicable to all of us.”
Goodman’s path wasn’t a straight line. He once ran a thriving retail business—until it all came crashing down. Bankruptcy followed, and just as he began picking up the pieces, he was diagnosed with cancer. He beat it. And then he rebuilt again. Today, he runs The Nestegg Group, where he helps others grow their financial futures using the lessons he learned the hard way.
His talk offered more than just life lessons. Attendees walked away with tangible advice on how to network, how to find the right mentor and what financial best practices can look like in real life.
“I’ve been to other Staenberg events, and I always walk away meeting new people,” said Sara Friedman. “I didn’t even know Maxine Clark from Build-A-Bear was Jewish! These events open your eyes.” Clark, a prominent St. Louis entrepreneur, was the inaugural speaker in the Staenberg Speaker Series, back in Sept. 2023.
For Miriam Sokora, it was her second Ignite gathering. “I came to see Judge Rachel Freier last time,” she said. “But honestly, the coolest part is just meeting other Jews my age.”
The Staenberg Speaker Series is more than a lecture—it’s an opportunity for young Jewish professionals to learn from accomplished leaders, gain career insights and build connections within the community. Hosted by IgniteYP, the series brings together professionals ages 22 to 35, offering mentorship and inspiration from high-profile Jewish figures.
