2024 Wharton Graduation Speech – EMBA Student Kim Montagnino

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)