Thank you - my graduation post

When you find yourself immersed in the whirlwind of life, time can feel like an unending tunnel. Yet, as you emerge from the chaos, it all seems to have passed in the blink of an eye. Reflecting on the transformative journey of the past two years, I am filled with immense gratitude for the incredible experience of being an EMBA student. Despite the demanding responsibilities of my job and a bustling family life, I eagerly embraced the challenge of committing to the most academically rigorous EMBA course at 美国芝加哥大学 - 布斯商学院 . During this time, I set three ambitious goals for myself, and it is with great pride that I can say I have achieved and surpassed these objectives:?????

1) I simply wanted to learn. I wanted to learn hardcore financial analysis skills and figure out how investment decisions are made in a structured way. I wanted to know how strategies led to some of the greatest successes or failures in business.

2) I wanted to build strong relationships. To me, what matters is not how many people you can call friends, but you know there are someone out there who you feel intelligently inspired and morally admired.

3) I wanted to broaden my horizon. Have been working in the intersection of finance, data & research, and climate change for 15 years, I wanted to know what exactly the top agenda in CEO’s minds in different industries, and how we can influence them in a language that really resonates, creating synergies with their business goals.

The truth that became evident is that the past two years have been ABSOLUTELY rewarding. I often find myself waking up with an invigorating sense of anticipation, as each day brings a wealth of knowledge and personal growth that I am eager to embrace. I would like to express my gratitude to:

• Professor Kathleen Fitzgerald , thank you for the boot camp on analytical methods that prepared us for everything that followed.
• Professor Lars Stole, your Microeconomic class was unparalleled, providing a solid foundation and igniting my interest in the subject.
• Professor Linda Ginzel , your classes on managerial psychology and negotiation helped us understand how individual and interpersonal behaviors shape organizations. More importantly, the mindset of creating value even in the face of conflicting goals.
• Professor Haresh Sapra , your intense and passionate teaching on financial accounting transformed me from someone with little interest in financial statements to someone almost addicted to them.
• Professor Christian Hansen , thank you for the statistics class. It was a foundational journey that equipped me with critical thinking & analytical skills whenever I encounter data research results.
• Professor Luis Garicano , your course on competitive strategies offered practical insights. I'm already applying the framework to analyze competitive landscapes and make my ?business decisions.
• Professors Pradeep Chintagunta and Sanjay Dhar , my two marketing masters, the powerful role marketing plays was never clearly articulated like the way you did —from analyzing product-market fit to understanding customer perceptions and determining pricing strategies.
• Professor Pietro Veronesi , thank you for the comprehensive and solid class on corporate finance. From CAPM to capital allocation, from stock valuation to agency conflicts, your course equipped me with essential skills.
• Professors Douglas Skinner and Günter Hitsch , your classes on managerial accounting and data-driven marketing introduced me to valuable concepts that were completely new to me.
• Professor Scott Meadow , I express my sincere gratitude for the enlightening course on Entrepreneurial Finance and Venture Capital. Your expert guidance not only answered all my inquiries about VC investing but also left a lasting impact with the inspiring life experiences you shared at the conclusion of the class. Thank you for equipping me with invaluable knowledge and inspiration.
• Professor Randall Kroszner, your course on money, banking, and financial crisis was intense. The extensive readings and thorough exploration of the flaws in the banking system and the involvement and reactions of monetary policy turned me into a fan of predicting central banks' next moves.
• Professor Guy Rolnik , you illuminated the art of crafting narratives that deeply resonate with our audience. Your class provided me with the tools and confidence to share an important story from my own life. Thank you for empowering me to effectively communicate and connect through storytelling.
• Professor Per Str?mberg , thank you for teaching both Private Equity and Financial Strategies. From how buyout funds invest, acquire, spin-off, and exit to how corporations borrow, sell equities, buy back, or go bankrupt—your courses provided me with both invaluable hard skills and a deep understanding on the significance of a corporation's financial strategy in creating value for stakeholders.
• Professor Jason Faberman, your macroeconomics class covered everything from the demand side to the supply side of the economy, from short-run shocks to long-run equilibrium. It was an absolute pleasure to learn from one of the finest economists in a Nobel-winning faculty.
• Professor Christopher Hsee, your class on managerial decision making made biases, stereotypes, and defaults unignorable. Your class helped us recognize the areas where we can apply nudges and make informed decisions. And thank you, Professor Richard Thaler, for signing our books!
• Professor Baris Ata , your operational management class was highly applicable in the dynamic business world. From addressing bottlenecks to building buffers, from lean management to production predictions, it perfectly combined theory and statistical skills.
• Professor Guido Lorenzoni , thank you for the engaging class on Global Strategy and Economics. It shed light on how economies are exposed to currency markets and how to hedge risks effectively.
• Professor John Paul Rollert , your leadership capital class was thought-provoking. Your teaching challenged us to critically examine the ethical dimensions of leadership and consider the broader impact of our actions. Thank you for imparting invaluable insights and guiding us on a path of principled leadership.
• Professor Michael Gibbs , your class on Organization & Incentives elevated my understanding of the intricate tradeoffs that underlie each managerial decision, while providing valuable guidance on how to effectively set goals and incentives.
• Professor Alyssa Rapp , I want to express my deepest gratitude for your guidance throughout the Global New Ventures Challenge (GNVC). Participating in this challenge was a defining moment for me, and it wouldn't have been possible without your support. Leading the Action3 team to become finalists in the GNVC was an incredible achievement, and it was through your mentorship that I was able to realize my true potential. Thank you for empowering me and helping me discover what I am capable of achieving.
• Last but not least, thank you Janet Quek , Julie Morton and the entire student life and GCLD team, the journey I embarked on would not have been possible without your tireless dedication.

There are many more I would like to thank along this journey, including my family, my managers & my colleagues at Bloomberg and BNEF, my friends and all the AXP/XP/EXP classmates, TAs, mentors. To each and every one of you, you know who you are, I extend my heartfelt appreciation for your impact on my journey.

Along the way, I've been asked by several friends how I managed to balance work, family, and study. They wondered if someone with a full plate should still pursue their dreams. Here's my answer, especially for those incredible women who juggle multiple roles: There may be many things in your life that could hold you back, but don't let self-doubt and hesitation be the reasons. Never underestimate your determination and abilities! You can accomplish anything you set your mind to, and you deserve to have it all!