Fareen Sunderji ’22

The energy sector is transitioning at an unprecedented rate. There are so many complexities and opportunities. The MBA for Executives program’s sustainability area of focus is giving me an edge in understanding how the industry is evolving in terms of policy, geopolitics, finance, and socioeconomics.

I’ve also gained valuable insights into how emerging energy sources and technology can disrupt and scale, as well as how global commitments to reduce carbon emissions are creating market segments. I’m now in a position to contribute to the direction my company takes responding to the transition and to carbon mitigation opportunities.

The beginning of the program coincided with the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many of us had to adjust for work, school, family life, and activities. Professor Marissa King recognized this and directed us to material and resources catered to the remote environment. Many of us were able to immediately leverage these resources to sustain high performance on our learning teams and in our jobs.

My cohort demonstrated unprecedented adaptability, resilience, and the ability to make the best of a difficult situation. I’ll never forget traveling to New Haven for the first time. There was such a joy in finally meeting the people I had become friends with over Zoom.

I’ve been so fortunate, and am incredibly grateful, to the leaders I’ve come across in my career who recognized my potential and my drive. They have exhibited qualities in leadership—empathy, tenacity, courage, and teamwork– that I strive to emulate. 

Our leadership development courses create a space for introspection. I thought “resilience” meant having the ability to constantly push myself. But I’ve learned that taking the time to recharge is a must, and that overworking is the opposite of resilience. This was a game-changer in my understanding of what it means to be an effective leader.