Good afternoon, esteemed
faculty, administrators, family and friends, and
my fellow graduates. Today marks a significant
milestone in our lives. A day of reflection, celebration, and forward-looking aspirations. As we gather today,
wearing our caps and gowns, we are not just celebrating
an academic achievement; we are celebrating the culmination of countless hours of
dedication and perseverance. First, on behalf of the class, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to the faculty and administrators
of the Wharton School. Your wisdom, guidance,
and unwavering support have been the bedrock of our experience. You did not just teach us; you
inspired us, challenged us, and prepared us to navigate
the complexities of business with integrity and foresight. We have been privileged
to learn from professors who went above and beyond
the scope of the syllabus to share encouragement,
laughter, and counsel. So thank you for your invaluable
contribution to our growth, both as professionals and as human beings. And a thank-you to the exceptional people who make this program run: admissions, executive education staff, the McNulty Leadership
team, career services, IT, executive dining for feeding us, so many more who have supported us during the last two years. To our family and friends, your unwavering support and sacrifice has brought us to this moment. Every call to check in, every time you encouraged us, you gave us space and support to study; partners who pulled more
than your weight at home so that we could achieve this goal. You have been our pillars of strength, our sources of motivation, and our reason to strive for excellence. And without you, none of
this would be possible. And a special shout-out to
the WEMBA kids. We hear you. I know there are many
of you in the audience, including three of my own, and so many who were
born during the program. We love you and thank
you for being our reason. Now, to my classmates,
we are forever bonded, confidants and lifelong friends. Together we have navigated the challenges of balancing our professional careers, our personal lives, and a
rigorous academic schedule. Through this, we've shared
successes, failures, laughter and tears, morning
runs, study sessions, a lot of nights out and too much Wawa. We've traveled the world together. We've celebrated marriages,
promotions, and marathons. We've also mourned loss, cared for each other when we were sick, and rallied together in tough times. And it's these experiences
that have bonded us in a way that transcends the
confines of this program. The diversity of our
backgrounds and perspectives has enriched our learning experience, teaching us the invaluable lesson of looking at problems
through multiple lenses. I have learned so much
from every one of you. And the bonds we've made
will last a lifetime. And now as we stand on the
precipice of our future, we're reminded of the
immense responsibility that comes with the knowledge and skills we have gained through this experience. The world today is
fraught with challenges. Yet within these challenges
lie opportunities, opportunities to lead with integrity, to innovate for impact, and to drive sustainable growth that benefits not just
shareholders but society at large. We're living in an era
where the measure of success is not just the bottom line, but the positive impact
we can make on the world. As Wharton graduates, we have
been equipped with the tools to not just navigate
this complex landscape, but to lead the way. So we leave here ready to
leverage our knowledge, our networks, and our passion
to create a more equitable, sustainable, and
prosperous future for all. I could never begin to summarize the lessons learned in the classroom, from quant to strategy to
management and so much more that we'll apply to
leadership positions today and for years to come. Instead, I'll share three simple lessons to serve as reminders
in our future endeavors. Maybe just think of them
as a few final notes to take with us as we go. First, what gets measured gets managed. In a world filled equally
with dreams and distractions, remember, the bridge between
aspiration and achievement is built with the bricks of
measurement and management. So measure to know where you stand, and manage to ensure you're
not just standing there. Second, what got you
here won't get you there. Imagine your journey to
success as climbing a mountain. What we packed for the foothills, our skills, habits, and
mindset served us well in our recent trails. But as the air thins
and the terrain changes, what got us here won't get us to the peak. As future leaders, we must
always reassess our gear. Adaptability, continuous learning, and the courage to leave behind
outdated tools is essential. And the higher we aim, the
more our approach must evolve. And finally, taking a page
from the book of Ginni Rometty: "Growth and comfort do not coexist." Embarking on a journey of growth is like choosing the path less traveled, rarely comfortable, often unpredictable, but undeniably rewarding. So if you find yourself
cozy and unchallenged, let it be a sign to shake things up. Embrace the discomfort, for it's where the strongest
version of you is forged. So as we step into this
next chapter of our lives as Wharton graduates, let us
carry forth these lessons. Let us stay connected to
Wharton and to each other. Let us be leaders who inspire, innovators who solve problems, and citizens who contribute
positively to society. Let us go forth with
courage, with purpose, and with the unwavering belief that we will turn our
boldest dreams into reality. Congratulations. (all applauding and cheering)