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Class of 2009

Laurie Fuller

TRIUM recently caught up with Laurie about her new role with Stanford, her renewed vigor for travel, and what life is like nearly a decade after completing the TRIUM EMBA.

 

Be ready to develop lifelong global friendships.

This is the advice that Class of 2009 alumna Laurie Fuller offers prospective students considering the TRIUM EMBA. They should take her word for it: nearly a decade after graduation, Laurie cites the relationships fostered during the program as a highlight of her experience and remains closely engaged with the TRIUM community around the world. In addition to nurturing the personal friendships she developed, she takes advantage of Module 7—which offers alumni the opportunity to re-connect and attend an additional module in a different global location each year—and reconnects with her cohort at the reunion events.

TRIUM also gave Laurie inspiration to travel and explore the world, she says. Soon after graduating—inspired by the international makeup of her cohort and the program’s global perspective—she took sabbatical and traveled to more than thirty countries. Now based in Nairobi, Laurie currently is Strategic Business Advisor in East Africa with Stanford GSB. The organization provides advisory services to African companies in the areas of business development, leadership, operations, board governance, and financing.

Remind us: where were you were in your career when you decided to seek an EMBA?

My work experience was in technology companies in Silicon Valley. I felt an international business school curriculum would broaden my skillset and prepare me for senior executive roles.

Why did you choose TRIUM?

It was an easy choice for me. At the time, a friend was in the program and he told me I would love TRIUM. He knew me well! I was drawn to a Global EMBA program comprised of three top-ranked universities with a focus on analyzing business through a geopolitical and socioeconomical lens. The highlights of TRIUM for me were a world-class global MBA education and enduring global friendships.

Speaking of those friendships: Can you reflect on your experience with your fellow cohort and the collaborative nature of TRIUM? What have you learned from your peers?

I love the TRIUM community! They are some of my closest friends. Our class had a wonderful turnout for our 5-year reunion. We see each other whenever we can. As an example, one of my classmates was married recently in Thailand and many of us traveled to attend the wedding. I look forward to celebrating our 10th anniversary next year.

Module 7 has been an incredible way to get to know alumni from other classes. I’m grateful to Miguel de Almeida (2011) for taking the initiative to start this gathering. It’s been a great way to stay connected to classmates, fellow alumni and the institution.

A few years after graduating TRIUM, you took a sabbatical to focus on world travel, during which you visited more than 30 countries. Tell us more about that journey – what was the impetus, what was the experience like?

What an amazing experience. To me, life is about learning, developing a global perspective, and giving back. In my view, this is done in many ways – by working, traveling, continuing my formal education, and developing new friendships.

The global nature of the TRIUM program, with classmates from over 28 countries, gave me the incentive to get out into the world and explore it further. My sabbatical was focused on travelling to places I’d never been and taking the time to explore in depth. I supplemented my experience with historical and contemporary reading.

In almost every country I met TRIUM alumni. You find them in the most interesting places. Understanding the social and business challenges from their perspective was an enriching part of my experience.

And it was a pleasure to catch up with many of them this year at our recent Module 7 at NYU!

How do approach your work differently after TRIUM?

TRIUM reinforced my desire to think about decisions and related impacts globally; to take roles which continue to shape and deepen my international perspective; and increase my scope of influence.

You are a Strategic Business Advisor in East Africa with Stanford GSB, Can you share more about your work and how TRIUM renewed your ambition, focus and drive for such a role?

I have lived and worked on many continents but never Africa. TRIUM positions you for lifelong global learning – both academic and experiential. Many of us are moving around, continually challenging ourselves and doing interesting things. I felt as both an alumnus of TRIUM and Stanford this role in Africa would be an important part of my journey. As a Business Advisor with Stanford University’s SEED program, I’ve been based in Nairobi for one year and feel I am both learning and adding value in a very direct way.

Nearly ten years after graduating from the program, can you speak to its long-term ROI?

The TRIUM friendships continue to deepen as every year brings additional shared experiences. The expansion of the global community provides an even larger group of people with which to network, share ideas and explore opportunities. Before my move to Africa, I talked with two alumni who lived and worked in Nairobi for several years. Their feedback was a key input into my decision-making process and enabled a smooth transition. The ability to continue to apply my TRIUM academic learnings to every role has been rewarding.

You’ve said that you have a keen interest in mentoring future leaders. What advice would you have to those currently considering the TRIUM challenge?

Be realistic about the amount of time and energy the program requires. Give the program the priority it deserves and the effort you invest will provide outsized rewards. Savor every moment as it goes by quickly. And be ready to develop lifelong friends.

How would you sum up your TRIUM experience in three words?

Inspiring, Beneficial, Fulfilling.