Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to working-class,

immigrant parents, Richard Caruso grew up with little money and few options for his future. That changed when a high school coach saw his athletic potential and started him on a path that led to a football scholarship at Susquehanna University. This path – influenced by other mentors along the way – enabled Caruso to earn a Master’s degree from Bucknell University, and a Ph.D. from the London School of Economics.

Dr. Caruso achieved great success in business and garnered many accolades along the way, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2006, but he never forgot the mentors who inspired and motivated his journey.
In 1986, Dr. Caruso founded the Uncommon Individual Foundation, as a way to mentor it forward, to help individuals and organizations recognize and embrace the power of mentoring to achieve success.

Education & Accolades

• B.S., Susquehanna University
• M.S., B.A., Bucknell University
• Ph.D., London School of Economics
• Founded Tenly Enterprises in 1982, which acquired Rustler Steak House before the acquisition by Sizzler
• Founded Integra Life Sciences in 1989 which pioneered the field of regenerative medicine
• Became a founding shareholder of Interactive Investor International in 1996
• Caruso served on the boards of numerous companies, including First Sterling Bank, Advanced Voting Solutions, Inc., American Capital Mutual Funds, and the Medici Archive Project
• Recipient of the New Jersey Entrepreneurial Leadership Award in Biomaterial Science in 2000
• Recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2006
• Recipient of the Special Achievement Award in Business and Health from the National Italian American Foundation in 2015