Decision Points E75 – From Mexico to Harvard: Entrepreneurship, Fear, and Growth with Fernando De Leon

Fernando De Leon’s life is proof that crossing borders—both literal and figurative—can shape a unique vision for business and leadership. From growing up in Mexico and commuting daily to school in the U.S., to attending Harvard on scholarship and starting his career at Goldman Sachs, Fernando’s path has been defined by contrasts, ambition, and resilience.

In this episode of Decision Points, Fernando, founder and CEO of Leon Capital Group, shares how those early experiences gave him an edge as he built one of the largest privately held holding companies in the country. What started in 2005 as a Dallas-based investment venture has grown into a diversified enterprise with interests spanning real estate, healthcare, and financial services. Today, Leon Capital Group develops a billion dollars’ worth of apartments annually—while also driving impact across multiple industries.

Fernando reflects on the pivotal decision points of his journey: the challenges of being a young analyst at Goldman Sachs, the leap into entrepreneurship, and the calculated risks that fueled Leon Capital’s expansion. He explains why Dallas remains his hub for growth, citing its population boom, economic vibrancy, and entrepreneurial climate as unmatched advantages.

At the heart of his philosophy is a simple but powerful idea: fear, when organized and harnessed, can drive innovation. By treating fear as fuel, Fernando has built a company defined by governance, incentives, and long-term partnerships—positioning Leon Capital not just as a family office, but as a diversified holding company with national reach.