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Stanford GSB Centennial Marks a Milestone with Alumni “Pioneers” Murty and Sunak: As the late-afternoon sun shone on Frost Amphitheater on June 14, the commencement ceremony for Stanford Graduate School of Business featured an address by Akshata Murty, MBA ’06, investor and philanthropist, and Rishi Sunakopen, MBA ’06, Member of Parliament and former prime minister of the United Kingdom.
“Stanford was transformational for us,” Murty said. “It opened our eyes to a whole new way of thinking which has informed everything we’ve done since.” Murty and Sunak met at Stanford as MBA students and married in 2009. Reflecting on their life together, the couple shared three lessons with the graduating class, centered around data, dreams, and dharma.
“The first lesson is what I have learned from Akshata about the false comfort of data alone,” said Sunak. Though he called himself “a numbers guy,” Sunak described the importance of bringing intuition to the decision-making process.
“As you progress in your careers, learn to listen to your intuition with as much rigor and respect as you do the analysis, because if you want to lead, it’s not a question of data or intuition; you’ve got to get comfortable with both,” he advised graduates.
Murty said the second lesson was Sunak teaching her about “the relationship between big idealistic dreams and small practical steps.… Idealism is inspiring, but he helped me see that if it is untethered from reality, there’s no traction — you float without impact.”
The couple believes deeply in the power of education to change lives, so they recently founded The Richmond Project, an organization dedicated to improving numeracy, especially for young people. “Being practical is a power move,” Murty said about realizing their own goals through action.
Finally, Murty and Sunak shared their third lesson as a mutual lesson centered around the Sanskrit term dharma, or what Sunak described as “the idea that we should gain fulfillment from simply doing our personal duty, rather than from the rewards that may come with our efforts.”
Elaborating on the role of dharma in their lives, Sunak talked about his political path, and how upon being given the opportunity to lead his party and country in a time of crisis, “[Akshata] reminded me that my dharma was clear: It was my duty to do the job because I felt I could help my country in a very difficult situation.”
Murty clarified, “Dharma isn’t just relevant in public service. It means that you’ll have the resilience and clarity you need to overcome whatever’s thrown at you, without losing your way or being submerged by ego. It’s not only a fulfilling way to live your life; it will enable you to do more than you ever thought possible.”
In the end, the couple told graduates that community empowers true change. “The potential of your story is immense, but you can’t achieve that potential alone: Surround yourselves with people who can and do challenge your thinking,” Sunak said. Murty added, “And stay open to what they say — sometimes it will scare you, sometimes it will annoy you, but always, it will help you become a better person.”
“As the GSB celebrates its centennial year, a final thought,” Sunak said. “We were the first Stanford graduates to live in Number 10 Downing Street. But both Akshata and I have every hope that we are not the last to live behind an important door at an important time, because the world needs global leaders like the ones being honed here.”
Stanford GSB Interim Dean Peter DeMarzo speaks to 2025 graduates | Pro Pics
Peter M. DeMarzo, the Philip H. Knight Professor and Dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business (Interim), celebrated the school’s Centennial in his commencement remarks and shared his hopes for the graduating class.
“This year marks the 100th anniversary of Stanford Graduate School of Business,” DeMarzo said. “It’s been a wonderful opportunity to commemorate the school’s evolution — the academic experience, faculty research, and impact of our alumni.”
DeMarzo spoke about the innovative spirit of the school. “From the beginning, the GSB has attracted a certain kind of individual: someone drawn to the western frontier of the United States, to California, to the possibility of becoming ‘pioneers’ — creating new knowledge, new industries, new business models, and setting new records,” he said.
“The potential of your story is immense, but you can’t achieve that potential alone: Surround yourselves with people who can and do challenge your thinking” — Rishi Sunak
As examples, DeMarzo talked about some of the school’s early graduates, including Ping Kei Leung, MBA ’31, an economist who later launched a second career as a restaurateur, and Ben Eastman, MBA ’35, an Olympic medalist who went on to own a nationally recognized fruit orchard.
Over the past century, he noted, the school has awarded degrees to some 40,000 students, “continuously evolving to prepare future leaders for the changing circumstances of the times.”
Each class is unique in its own way, DeMarzo said to the Class of 2025. “As the world emerged from the global pandemic, you were already driving change — founding companies, working in government or nonprofits, leading large teams — in some cases, all of the above. And yet, you made a profound decision — and took a risk — to put your lives and careers on hold, pursue an MBA, and change the course of your life.”
He concluded with a view to the possibilities ahead for the new graduates. “What is your class going to do in the future? Who will start companies? Who will be the CEOs? Who will own a fruit orchard or a restaurant? Who will be an entrepreneur, a philanthropist, or even a prime minister?
“It took courage to begin this journey. Let that same courage guide you as you shape what comes next. Just like those first pioneers a century ago, you’re stepping into an uncertain world — not with all the answers, but with boldness, purpose, and the courage to lead.”
The diploma ceremony for the Class of 2025 featured 534 graduates who earned degrees:
- 426 MBA
- 81 Master of Science (MSx)
- 22 PhD
- 5 Master of Arts in Business Research
Thirty-nine MBA students earned joint degrees:
- 19 MS in Environment and Resources
- 10 MS in Education
- 3 MS in Computer Science
- 7 JD (Law)
Certificate and Award Recipients
- Certificates in Public Management and Social Innovation were awarded to 146 graduates.
- Forty-three MBA graduates were named Arjay Miller Scholars, recognized as the top 10% academically in the class.
- The Henry Ford II Scholar, selected for academic achievement, was Ian McRae.
- Nofel Teldjoune was recognized with this year’s Ernest C. Arbuckle Award, chosen by her peers for having contributed most to the fulfillment of the goals of the school.
- The Alexander A. Robichek Award in Finance went to Isabella Haegg.
- The recipient of the George G.C. Parker Prize for academic achievement in the MSx class was Diwas Neupane.
- Eight students were named Robert L. Joss Scholars, recognizing the top 10% academically of the graduating MSx class.
