A Return to Roots: From Students to Commencement Speakers
Nearly two decades after first crossing paths as MBA students, Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty made a heartfelt return to Stanford Graduate School of Business as commencement speakers for the Class of 2025. Their journey, which started on Stanford’s campus, blossomed into a partnership marked by marriage and family life.
Stanford's Lasting Impression
Speaking to the graduates, Ms. Murty reminisced about how Stanford profoundly transformed their worldviews and trajectories. "This is literally where we met," she said, reflecting on her move from India to California. She described the university as a catalyst that reshaped their thinking and opened doors they hadn’t imagined.
Adding a touch of humor, she shared a charming anecdote about a former admissions director’s prediction that their paths were meant to intertwine, based solely on their application essays. "Twenty years and two daughters later, forget about being the best business school in the world, you're an even better matchmaking service," she joked to applause.
Later, she celebrated the occasion by sharing a photo from their beloved morning running spot at Stanford, captioning it as a nostalgic return to their favorite routine.
Memories and Lessons from Their Stanford Days
Ms. Murty recalled student days, highlighting a playful memory of Sunak’s tendency to chatter incessantly during their runs around the university’s scenic loop. "There was no one more annoying than Rishi when we would go on a run," she laughed.
Three Guiding Principles From a Life Shared
The couple went on to share insights shaped by their personal and professional journey. Together, they distilled their experiences into three fundamental lessons.
1. The Limits of Data
Sunak, known for his analytical mind, spoke about the comfort and confidence numbers can provide. Drawing on his connection with his father-in-law, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, he acknowledged the utility of data but cautioned against relying on it exclusively. "Data can't look around corners," he explained, highlighting the importance of intuition and foresight beyond figures.
2. Bridging Idealism with Practicality
Murty described her youthful passion for social change, fueled by idealism. Yet it was Sunak’s persistent questioning—"How?"—that challenged her thinking. This exchange inspired her to pair ambitious goals with actionable steps, steering efforts from abstract ideals toward tangible, scalable impact. She reflected, "Idealism is inspiring, but without grounding in reality, it drifts without making a difference. I learned that transformation requires stepping stones rooted in pragmatism."
3. Embracing Dharma: Purpose Over Outcomes
Drawing from the Sanskrit concept of Dharma, the couple stressed the value of focusing on one’s duty without obsession over results. This mindset, they noted, brings fulfillment through committed effort rather than the anxiety of outcomes, fostering resilience and meaning in challenging endeavors.
A Partnership that Sharpens and Supports
Sunak concluded with a personal tribute to their relationship, emphasizing how mutual engagement and intellectual challenge have strengthened their bond: "We've always pushed each other's thinking to become sharper and better." The pair, who married in 2009 after graduating with the Class of 2006, embodied how collaboration and growth evolve over time.
