John Dulczak, founder and chief executive officer of LaborFirst, would tell you the measure of a leader isn’t just the systems they build, but the names they remember. In fact, if he could master one skill instantly, it would be remembering every person’s name the first time they meet. It’s a subtle gesture—often overlooked—but to Dulczak, it represents something far larger: presence, respect and the power of genuine connection. In his world, where relationships fuel transformation, remembering someone’s name isn’t a detail. It’s the foundation.
Dulczak launched LaborFirst with a belief that retirees—especially those who dedicated their lives to organized labor—deserve more than a handshake and a farewell. They deserve a system that fights for them long after the job ends. What began as a deeply personal mission evolved into a movement. LaborFirst became the engine of that change, blending technology and trust to support union retirees across the nation.
Growth wasn’t a surprise—it was a requirement. In recent years, the company completed a strategic acquisition, added new service lines and introduced HealthActive, a platform designed to modernize retiree healthcare support. Each milestone was a deliberate step toward honoring the very people Dulczak had set out to serve.
As the company expanded, so did the demands on its leadership. Dulczak responded by deepening his commitment to culture. Emotional intelligence, mentorship and human-centered design became essential to how LaborFirst operated internally. He believed that preparing a workforce for the future required more than technical training—it demanded empathy and self-awareness.
His recognition as a Titan 100 Honoree affirms what many already knew: Dulczak leads with conviction, compassion and a drive to reimagine what leadership can mean in service-based industries. It’s not about accolades—it’s about impact.
He doesn’t rely on hierarchy to lead. Dulczak listens, collaborates, challenges and learns. His energy comes not from public praise but from the quiet validation of knowing a client’s life has been made easier, a retiree’s benefits preserved, a family’s questions answered. Passion, for him, is found in the overlooked details—especially the human ones.
Preparing his team for the future has never been about checklists. It’s about developing emotionally aware professionals who lead from every seat. He believes the next generation of leaders must understand both systems and stories, numbers and names.
Dulczak doesn’t just run a company. He stewards a cause. One that is expanding, evolving and rewriting how retiree benefit services are delivered. Over the next five years, LaborFirst will enter new markets, deepen its platform capabilities and continue honoring the dignity of working families.
Among all his achievements, one rises above the rest. He has built a company that remembers—not just who people are, but why they matter. And in doing so, he’s created something rare: a business model with a human heartbeat.
