DIRECTOR’S DESPATCH
REFLECTING ON MOMENTS OF VALUE AMBA & BGA’s director of business school engagement, Debbie Kemp explains how taking time to review personal and professional highlights can inspire wellbeing, optimism and meaningful change
O ne of my family’s New Year traditions is to gather around the table and ask each person to name their three favourite memories from the past year. The answers often include holidays, milestones and proud achievements, but sometimes it is the smaller things that are the most cherished. From the joyous to the demanding, this family ritual creates space to reflect and is a wonderful way to remain grounded and hopeful. A similar exercise might help reveal the most meaningful moments of our professional lives in business education. Perhaps these would include welcoming incoming cohorts, as new students arrive with fresh ambitions and opportunities ahead of them. They could also encompass graduation ceremonies and the enjoyment of standing alongside students as their dedication and hard work are celebrated. Alternatively, it might be individual success stories that resonate most deeply and the part we have played in nurturing and guiding communities. Not to mention our own academic milestones from, say, the successful publication of a research paper or the
award of a research grant, to recognition of the real-world impact and influence of our work. Our favourite moments may also relate, more generally, to our privileged access to the knowledge shared, challenged and debated in classrooms and online platforms across the world. Whichever moments and memories you value most highly, I think it’s fair to say that business education is, at its core, an industry fuelled by hope – hope for students embarking on new careers, for new ventures being launched, for new partnerships and for the development of new ideas that lead to positive change. Psychologists remind us that hope is a universal human experience, central to wellbeing. It strengthens our connections with others and encourages us to strive for progress and improvement, even in uncertain times. Yet, maintaining it is not always easy. At a time of geopolitical tensions, threats to civil liberties and increasing pressure on higher education funding, how do we continue to nurture optimism and purpose? To meet the hopeful expectations of today’s learners, many schools are increasingly adopting student-centric approaches. We see this when reviewing the student experience, outcomes and employability for schools that undergo
the BGA accreditation process. And I have observed that the institutions best able to demonstrate positive impact in these areas are those that consistently invest time in understanding each cohort, listening carefully to needs and expectations and responding Meaningful change takes time, attention and persistence. It requires systems that encourage engagement, alongside a willingness to adapt. Crucially, it also demands a motivated and supported community of faculty and professional staff working collaboratively to deliver an outstanding student experience. This cannot be achieved if any individual, team or department feels overlooked or undervalued. A student-first approach must be underpinned by a people-first culture because nurturing hopeful and happy students requires an engaged and supported staff. As we look ahead, I am optimistic that 2026 will bring new opportunities, achievements and moments worth celebrating for all members of the global BGA community. And when the year draws to a close, I hope you will take a moment, perhaps around a table thoughtfully and respectfully. Progress is often incremental. with colleagues, family or friends, to reflect on what made it meaningful.
38 Business Impact • ISSUE 1 • 2026
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