2016 UCLA Anderson School of Management Commencement Speaker

Dr. Rob Douk gives the 2016 commencement speech at the UCLA Anderson School of Management 

Dr. Douk was recently nominated to deliver the commencement speech for this year’s UCLA Global Executive MBA class. As he spoke in front of his 39 colleagues, from 15 countries representing over 20 industries, he was taken aback as he realized how much he learned from each individual. Throughout the program, he observed “like a sponge” but used each opportunity to see how to improve himself by applying the new skills that he learned from his colleagues.

Although this collaborative academic environment inspired minds to take their aspirations to another level personally and professionally, he challenged his classmates to one last assignment: “Take this powerful MBA and do more good.” He challenged his classmates with a few examples like advocating for the powerless, opening more businesses and not forgetting the broader purpose that their next steps might serve, in putting people to work and/or transforming neighborhoods for the better.

With the support from his community, Dr. Douk took that challenge a few years ago as he realized that he needed this program to do more good for BHW and take another step forward in becoming a better leader for the company. But he not only took this challenge for himself, he wanted to motivate his classmates and now, all of us at BHW to realize that we’ve learned a lot through all the hard work that we’ve put in thus far in our respective fields. And as we continue to make a difference in each of our families’ lives, whether out on the front lines or behind the scenes, to leverage what we’ve learned and see how we can help do more good in our own spheres of influence.

May all of us continue to help each other reach our goals and create that positive difference for our clients. BHW is not where it is today without all of your hard work, dedication and perseverance in believing and carrying out the path of hope for each family. May you continue doing more good through all that you currently do and take your aspirations, skills and talents to the next level.