Shaping Global Leaders with G.R.E.Y - My commencement speech at HULT - Class of 2023

Good afternoon! Thank you, Dean Monique, for the privilege of being here today. I am thrilled to stand near the esteemed faculty and staff and the brilliant Class of 2023! 

Parents, friends and family, we are gathered here to celebrate not only your loved one’s success but also your endless support. So, let’s start by giving yourselves a big round of applause.   

And to you, the Class of 2023, I say – BRAVO! CONGRATULATIONS!  You've conquered the academic Everest, skillfully navigating through a vortex of presentations, groupwork and the occasional avalanche of exams. You braved the countless coffees at the Warehouse, and probably spent more time at the pub (Castle!) than in the library (no judgment here!). 

From dealing with a once in a generation pandemic to grappling with the cost-of-living crisis, you have proven your strength and determination. You’ve juggled between Zoom meetings, screen fatigue, and the eternal question, “Can you hear me? Am I on mute?”.  So, let’s hear it for the Class of 2023! 

This moment takes me back 11 years, when I was in your shoes at Hult – an institution that’s a melting pot of diverse cultures, thought leaders and innovation. Hult is the experience of having our planet in one room and as the school is building its history, each one of you, will soon carry the torch to build upon its legacy. 

As you embark on your own journey, I’ll be sharing four life-shaping stories, in the hope they resonate with you.  

They are summarized by the acronym "G.R.E.Y - GREY" – very typical for London weather but that’s not what I will talk about today. GREY represents Growth, being Real, Empowerment, and saying Yes - to making an impact. 

My first story is about Growth.  

Before Hult, I stood as the youngest energy professional on the trading floor of a large company in Portugal. Seeking a new chapter in my life, I dared to venture into a business school in a foreign country, fuelled by hope and ambition. 

Yet, post-graduation, my dreams got a harsh reality check. The world was just trying to recover from the Great Recession and traders weren’t particularly the most desired profession.  

Caught in an uneasy balance between my true self, my aspirations, and society's expectations, I found myself at a crossroads. I remember one morning, I called my dad, convinced I had it all figured out. I told him, "Dad, I got it, I want to work in a local pub. His response…  "Did you really need to go to business school to figure that out?" 

Determined to discover my path, I applied for various jobs that matched my skills, making it to the final rounds but facing rejection time and again: "too young", "we found someone internally" or “No response.... and no, not interested”.  

Yet, amidst the setbacks, a recruiter's valuable advice resonated with me: "Review the experience, not yourself." Taking this insight to heart, I, devised my GREY plan, that included blogging about the energy sector and creating my own 'Interview Preparation Red Book,' a resource I still have today.  

So, by focusing on my actions that led to the rejection, and learning from my experiences, I got an opportunity, and my career took off at a large Chinese energy company, launching their operations in New York.  

So, as you traverse on your own journey, remember that the unique challenges and failures you face will all form a part of your individual growth. And getting a No, just means Next opportunity.  

My second story is about being Real  

A few years ago, I found myself standing at the edge of a pivotal moment. For far too long, I had kept an essential part of myself concealed—the truth about my identity as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.  

As I sat at the edge of a room, at a Business Conference, my heart raced with trepidation. The conference was celebrating diversity role models and recalled a quote from Apple’s CEO Tim Cook: “What are you doing for others?”. 

That question ignited a spark within me and urging me to confront my deepest fears and with newfound determination, I broke free from the confines of the professional closet I had confined myself far too long and established the first LGBT+ employee network at our firm. This bold act wasn’t without risk, especially considering the time and place, our company HQ in India, where homosexuality was back then a crime. 

As I stood vulnerable and raw sharing my vision on inclusion, facing some criticism, other colleagues who once hesitated to speak up now found their voices. Employees felt inspired to share their stories, bringing forth perspectives that grew our organization's culture of inclusion and led to the creation of 10 new diverse employees resource groups. It wasn't just about coming out at work—it was about bringing others to embrace their authenticity. 

Looking back, accepting my true self not only enabled me to grow personally, but it also empowered me to spearhead a movement that would leave a lasting impact on the workplace for generations to come. Remember, being real and embracing your vulnerabilities will create ripples of change and shaping organisations and societies for better.  

My 3rd story – is about E for Empowerment  

During my time leading sales for the UK energy sector, a recent leader in the organization, Michelle, needed material to support her pitch on a billion-dollar business in the US. Eager to assist, I walked her through a pitch that I had been meticulously preparing for months.  

To my surprise, the pitch paid off, and months later, I received a call from Michelle inviting me to build and lead her team in Europe. The offer was both exhilarating and terrifying—this position was three levels above my current role. Doubt, crept in, and I hesitated, asking her “are you sure?”. Little did I know, this was her way of giving back – by empowering me. 

It was then that I learned the power of empowerment. Michelle acted on my potential.  

As I stood in the new role, we had the vision to create a mini-UN, a diverse and inclusive team that celebrated empathy and kindness, mirroring our worldwide customers. The result has been astounding a cohesive and high performing team that outshined its peers.  

Through this experience, I came to understand that empowerment goes beyond oneself—it extends to empowering others to bring their unique voices to the table. 

So, Class of 2023, remember, when someone asks you for help, don’t be afraid, you will never know when someone truly recognises your potential and will empower you. 

Lastly, saying “Yes” to impact 

Recently a colleague approached me with a bold vision—to create a new line of business centred around ESG and sustainability. The invitation to join her efforts left me questioning why I should join a venture that fell outside my department and might not directly benefit me.  

At this point I remembered a former encounter with Ilham Khari, CEO of Solvay, a multinational chemical company, that had placed inclusion and sustainability at the core of the organisation and breaking performance levels and how she said, “Yes to Impact”. So, I decided to take a chance, recognizing that this endeavour could make a meaningful impact beyond myself. 

Class of 2023, you are graduating to face the most amazing challenge ever requested of any generation - The responsibility to preserve and cherish our planet. Embrace it as your own and run with it as if your life depends on it—for in many ways, it does. 

So, as you enter the Alumni community, let your actions speak louder than words, and say yes to impact, remember that every choice that you will make will lead to the next. There will be times to stand-up, take risks, apologise and to let go, if that’s not worth it. And don’t forget to love, love might be the one thing that pays the highest returns… and when you forget what to do, reach out to your Hult community, because they know the bounds made here are based on shared dreams and vulnerability.  

As we conclude, remember the G.R.E.Y principles – Growth, being Real, Empowerment, and Yes to Impact. These aren’t’ just stories but guidance principles for your journey beyond Hult.  

I hope your journey of self-discovery is part of broader narrative of limitless possibilities when we embrace authenticity, empower others, and strive for positive change in the planet.. 

With profound love and respect, I say –

Congratulations, graduates!

Thank you!