{
  "id": 18680574,
  "title": "He went from washing lab equipment for $10 an hour to leading a $30 billion healthcare company. His advice to Gen Z: Raise your hand",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/he-went-from-washing-lab-equipment-for-10-an-hour-to-leading-a-30",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-07T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/11/07/dexcom-ceo-jake-leach-from-washing-lab-equipment-to-millionaire-healthcare-executive-gen-z-career-advice-volunteer-for-work/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jake Leach, the CEO of Dexcom, a $30 billion healthcare company, didn't begin his career with grand ambitions or a prestigious internship. In the 1990s, Leach, a teenager, worked as a lab dishwasher for $10 an hour, cleaning equipment like beakers and flasks. This humble beginning, where he was tasked with washing lab equipment for just $10 an hour, marked the start of a career in diabetes management. Nearly three decades later, Leach is the CEO of Dexcom, a company that develops non-invasive glucose-monitoring systems. His journey to the top was driven by hard work and a willingness to take on less glamorous tasks, rather than through a shortcut or an Ivy League degree. Leach's career was shaped by his early experiences, including saving up for a $350 bike by working odd jobs and learning from his handy grandfather, whose diabetes diagnosis taught him about the personal impact of the disease. He eventually earned a degree in electrical and biomedical engineering from UCLA, building on the engineering skills he developed from tinkering with old electronics as a child. Leach's advice to Gen Z is to \"raise your hand\" and step outside their comfort zone, as this habit of volunteering for less glamorous tasks can make them more valuable leaders in the long run.",
  "summary": "Dexcom CEO Jake Leach says the secret to getting ahead isn't asking for a promotion—it's becoming the person willing to take on what others won't.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}