Indian American entrepreneur and business leader Anil Sharma encouraged top-performing students at George Mason University’s Costello College of Business to embrace lifelong learning, adaptability, and ethical leadership as they prepare to enter a rapidly changing workforce shaped by artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Speaking at the college’s awards and recognition ceremony on May 15, Sharma congratulated more than 100 Excellence Award recipients and 15 Outstanding Students, recognizing them as among the highest-achieving students in their respective programs.
“You are the top 10% of your programs. That is not just a statistic; it is a reflection of discipline, focus, perseverance, and hard work,” said Sharma, CEO of 22nd Century Technologies.
22nd Century Technologies, which supports federal, state, and local government agencies across the United States, is one of the nation’s largest privately held government contracting firms.
Sharma’s remarks drew in part from his own journey as a first-generation immigrant. Born in Ambala, Haryana, and raised in Chandigarh, where his father worked for The Tribune newspaper, he arrived in the United States without a clear roadmap for success.
“I came here with ambition, but very little certainty. No roadmap. No guarantees. No safety net,” he told students.
READ: Podcast | From temp worker to CEO of a government contracting powerhouse: Anil Sharma’s C-Suite journey (July 1, 2025)
Addressing graduates entering the workforce amid significant technological disruption, Sharma highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation across industries.
“You are graduating at one of the most transformative moments in modern history,” he said, noting that many future jobs have yet to be created. “The future will belong to those who can learn faster, adapt continuously, think critically, and remain resilient during change.”
Sharma outlined three principles he believes will help students navigate their careers.
“First: Never stop learning. Your degree is not the finish line; it is the foundation,” he said.
“Second: Do not fear failure. Some of the greatest opportunities in life come after setbacks. Failure is not the opposite of success; it is part of success.”
His third principle focused on service and impact.
“As you grow, lift others with you. Growth is not just about making money. It is about impact.”
Sharma urged graduates to focus on creating opportunities for others as they advance professionally.
Concluding his remarks, he emphasized the importance of perseverance, integrity, humility, and critical thinking, telling students that challenges and setbacks should be viewed as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.
“The world needs ethical leaders. It needs innovators. It needs people who can combine business, technology, and humanity to solve real problems,” he said.
The ceremony celebrated academic achievement while sending graduates into a rapidly evolving economy shaped by artificial intelligence, technological disruption, and new opportunities for innovation.
Sharma’s entrepreneurial journey and leadership philosophy was previously featured in “Journey to the C-Suite with Kryslte Kaul,” a podcast series by The American Bazaar.