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Women’s Leadership Program is a nine-month learning & development program that empowers women professionals to navigate and propel their careers to the next level while also creating conditions for other women to thrive. Participants graduate with the skills, experiences, & connections needed to lead businesses into the top tiers of success. Women’s Leadership Program Graduation is an opportunity to celebrate the graduating class and all their accomplishments alongside their peers, supporters, and loved ones. Our class speakers were chosen by their cohort to represent their class in their Graduation speeches.
Good afternoon Ladies, members of the Chamber of Commerce and Esteemed Guests,
Many of you know that I was born and raised on the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. As an immigrant, I have been through many firsts; what I never envisaged is that I would one day, be nominated by my peers to speak at this prestigious graduation. I am so deeply grateful and truly humbled for this opportunity.
Thank you to State Street’s CEO and several female executives whom I greatly admire, for nominating me for this program. I have greatly enjoyed this unique opportunity to spend months with a group of remarkable women leaders. Today as we celebrate the culmination of this program, I am deeply honored to represent this distinguished assembly of empowered and inspiring women.
On behalf of this cohort, I would like to thank the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership, Erin and Colin, our facilitators and all the inspiring guest speakers for an exceptional program. A special thanks to all the companies who sponsored many aspects of the past few months. For those of us in person, we are grateful to Colin for his culinary selections which wowed us all, by offering a delightful array of diverse and exquisite cuisines.
Having spent many years traveling around Africa, there is a story that has always resonated with me.
It is about an Anthropologist who proposed a game to the kids of African tribal children. He placed a basket of fruits near a tree. And made them stand 100 meters away. And he announced that whoever reaches first would get all the fruits in the basket. When he said ready steady go… and he watched in amazement as they all caught each other’s hands and ran towards the tree together, divided the fruits among themselves, ate and enjoyed the fruits. When the Anthropologist asked them why you did so? They said “Ubuntu” Which meant: ‘How can one be happy when all the others are sad?’ Ubuntu in their language means: “I am because, we are!”
In a way, I feel that we all practiced “Ubuntu” in the past 9 months. We all shared our personal stories, challenges and triumphs and richly benefited by creating a safe space where we could all learn from each other.
Today marks a pivotal moment in our journey where we explored the myriad styles and nuances of leadership and revealed a powerful link between self-awareness and impactful leadership. This insight will serve as a guiding light, empowering us to navigate through challenging situations and team dynamics with confidence and grace.
As we collaborated, learned to “name, explain and claim”, engaged in healthy competition, a few of us even acted and were rewarded with swag, some of the highlights were definitely the candid conversations where we shared wisdom or bonded over libations during the networking sessions. We have honed our skills, expanded our networks, forged lifetime friendships, and gained a deeper understanding of our unique capabilities as leaders. We garnered valuable perspectives on the importance of leading with authenticity, flexibility, inclusivity, and empathy.
Many of you are aware of my deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, so seeing this diverse cohort being intentionally created was truly uplifting. During our time together, we brought our unique experiences, knowledge and approaches to the table, and ensured that all voices were heard and valued. As leaders, we know that we are enriched immeasurably by the kaleidoscope of voices and talents that comprise our teams, and as we embrace their diverse perspectives and experiences, we will unlock a wealth of creativity, innovation and insight, that can lead to better outcomes for our organizations and the community at large. I for one strongly believe in lifting as I climb and make it a point to mentor many women as I know that many of you also do. As we bring our lessons learned to our companies, let us continue to be beacons of change, catalysts for equality and champions for diversity, equity and inclusion and foster inclusive environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
My favorite quote is by Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. This sentiment resonates deeply with me, reminding us all of the power of human connection and the lasting impact of our actions on those around us. Let us remember that true leadership is not about the titles we hold or positions we occupy, but about the lives we touch, the values we uphold and the legacies we leave behind. As we embark on the journey ahead, may we continue to break barriers, uplift each other, amplify our voices and redefine what it means to be powerful women.
Together, let us carve a path towards a future where women’s leadership is not just celebrated, but integral to our collective success. May your paths be filled with light, continuous learning, success, fulfillment and purpose.
Congratulations to each one of you!
Thank you!
Global Head of Client Centricity
State Street Corporation
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