Celebrating the Culmination of My MBA Journey at Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management ??

Today, with a heart filled with pride and gratitude, I stand tall as I mark the completion of my MBA program over the weekend. The journey was a thrilling roller coaster, and every twist and turn was undoubtedly worth the ride.

Firstly, I wholeheartedly appreciate those who penned the stellar recommendations that guided me toward this significant milestone - Nigel Smith , Sriram Sethumadhavan , and Dhandapani (Founder and Head Coach of CricketMinds Academy). Your unwavering faith in me strengthened me throughout this challenging journey.

Bharathi Mani , my wife - you've been the guiding force behind this academic pursuit. Your encouragement and belief in my potential fueled my decision to embark on this challenging yet rewarding journey. To our son, Arjun, your cheerful presence and innocent curiosity motivated me through long study nights. Your little smiles were daily reminders of why I embarked on this journey, and your joy became my motivation.

To my family, Siblings- Shivakumar Ponnaiyan,PMP? , Nandha Ponnaiyan , Sasi Thanes, and their partners Priya, Preethi, THANESWARAN SUNDARAVADIVEL , - you've been my unwavering support system. Your patience, understanding, and constant encouragement kept me going during the roughest times. I am eternally grateful for your love, prayers and belief in my dreams.

My phenomenal study group, (though the program calls Team C, I call them "Classies") - Christopher Lugo, DMD, MBA , Anthony Bahr , Katy Vu , Obi Solaja , Hitesh A. - your collaborative spirit, shared wisdom, and dedicated teamwork shaped me into a better learner and leader. Every brainstorming session, presentation, and deadline we pushed through have become cherished memories now.

To my dear brothers from different mothers - AnavarathaVinayagam Kasiviswanathan , Hariharan Venugopalakrishnan , Wilfred Leo , Dinesh Dhandapani - who stood by me, turning doubts into determination and fears into motivation, I owe you a debt of gratitude. Your support was my beacon of light in the darkest of times.

A special acknowledgment to my leadership - Nigel Smith , Chris Nicotra , Arjun Dugal - I am indebted to you for backing my decisions and providing opportunities to grow. I am truly honored to be part of a leadership that values education and personal development. A special note of appreciation to Arjun Dugal for the insightful leadership interview, a valuable reference that I frequently turn to during moments when my confidence wavers.

To my Strategies for Growth (Singapore) crew Zafar Akram Jamkhana Sunil Bahunapati Rahul Gundala Praveen Nimmala Jitendra Sagili Katie Jingozian, MBA Jeffrey (Ting-Wen) Huang - your unwavering backing, shared learning, and exploration made this journey even more enriching. We ventured together, learned together, and grew together.

To my Tech Venture (India) project team exploring India and technology startups together Preetha Menon Sonia Arora Vishal Kamble Hitesh A. and to my extended crew Megan Nation, MBA Jitendra Sagili Sudhakiran Pendurthi Kumar Pankaj Volkan E. Sia N Ashok Gaurav Khatri Sheldon Wray Kostas Poulakidas - your shared passion for innovation and exploration added a unique flavor to my MBA experience.

To my Dallas companions Lipsa Mahapatra Sunil Bahunapati Manoj Arigela Shivasai Selvarengaraju Snigdha Ummareddy , our travel together was not just about reaching the campus but also about learning, caring, and growing together. Our weekends were filled with shared moments that created bonds beyond the classroom.

A special thanks to my capstone crew John McNabb Zafar Akram Jamkhana Manmadha Pasari Nick LoManto, CFA Katrina Martin Melissa Mullarkey for not only showcasing exceptional teamwork but also embodying the principles of executive leadership and extreme ownership throughout our project. Your commitment, accountability, and the way you've taken ownership of challenges have set a benchmark for excellence. Each one of you has been instrumental in making our capstone project a resounding success, and your leadership qualities have truly stood out. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and for raising the bar for what true executive leadership looks like!

To my cherished circle of friends, Sudhakiran Pendurthi Jitendra Sagili Zafar Akram Jamkhana Ayush Rastogi Rahul Gundala Vishal Kamble Sai Manoj Arigela Praveen Nimmala Sunil Bahunapati KL Choudhary Scott McLeod, JD, MBA Fahad Bijle George Evagoras Kai Liang Saket Thukral John McNabb Dorian Oleksak, MBA John Mensing Peter Muench Megan Nation, MBA Katy Vu Lipsa Mahapatra Sabrykrishnan Loganathan who gather every other weekend, not just for meals/drinks - our shared moments have been a source of joy, togetherness, and camaraderie, contributing to the richness of my MBA journey.

To all the incredible women leaders of EMBA-130 Lipsa Mahapatra Katy Vu Obi Solaja Preetha Menon Sonia Arora Megan Nation, MBA Qian Jenny Liu Ivana Hamidi, MBA Christine Abramo, MBA Allison Lurie Dijita Sundi, P.E., M.B.A., M.S.C.E. Rachel Perron Jena Teeling Lisa Stern Grams Virginia Venable Melissa Mullarkey Cassandra Banno Fricke Andrea Rosko Ashley Schiff Katrina Martin - your ability to navigate careers while managing loved ones was commendable. You have been a true inspiration, and your resilience has left an indelible mark on my path. I'm a silent admirer of each of you for your uniqueness and greatly respect what you have done in these 2 years and in the years to come.

To my tennis and gym crew Sri Manda Praveen Nimmala Kai Liang George Evagoras Christine Abramo, MBA , the dynamic people who helped me refresh both body and mind at times. Our time at the court became the perfect escape, balancing academics' intensity with the game's joy. Thank you for the energizing moments on the court that rejuvenated me for the challenges in the classroom.

And to our sister cohorts Shivasai Selvarengaraju Vasanth K. Mohammad Abubacker Bob Ntuaremba Leyo, MBA Volkan E. Sheldon Wray Kostas Poulakidas Steve Peck Traci Shapiro, MBA Luisa Mirarchi Wright, MBA Snigdha Ummareddy - your camaraderie, support, and shared experiences have added immeasurable value to this journey. Together, we forged a bond that transcends the academic realm, creating a network of support and encouragement that will endure beyond these halls.

A special hat tip to the professors Brian Uzzi Kevin McTigue Alexander Chernev Mitchell Petersen Mohanbir Sawhney Nancy Qian Harry Kraemer, Jr. Michael Mazzeo Scott Schaefer and admin team Colette Feldges Radha Y. Kulkarni, PMP Lilly Chang Hannah Truckenbrod Christine Post Lissette Hernandez, MBA , CMC Coach Stephen Lanchak whose dedication and expertise have shaped my academic experience more valuable. Your guidance has been instrumental in my growth, and I'm genuinely grateful for your unwavering commitment to education.

As I close this chapter and look forward to the next, I am reminded of a saying - 'It takes a village to raise a child.' Today, I understand the depth of its meaning. It took an incredibly supportive 'village' to shape me as a Kellogg Leader – and for that, I am forever grateful.

Lastly, to my entire cohort - each of you enriched this journey with camaraderie, shared laughter, insightful discussions, and lasting friendships. "If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together." This MBA journey was indeed far, but together, we made it. Thank you all for being part of this extraordinary journey! ??