Pharmaceutical industry leader and philanthropist Vivek Sharma shared his journey from arriving in America “with a suitcase and a dream” to becoming a successful CEO and serial entrepreneur during his address to the D'Amore-McKim School of Business undergraduate Class of 2025 graduating with degrees in International Business and other concentrations.
He gave the main address at the second of three graduation celebration ceremonies on Thursday, May 8, which saw over 1,300 undergraduate and over 500 graduate students graduate from D'Amore-McKim. Dave Powers, DMSB'89, also delivered remarks to those graduating with degrees in Business Administration, and President Joseph E. Aoun presented the Northeastern University Pioneer Award to Frederick Brodsky, DMSB'66.
Sharma, the former CEO of Saama and Piramal Pharma Solutions, has been recognized for championing AI-driven solutions in clinical research and was previously honored with the CEO of the Year award from the international professional organization CPhI Pharma. His connection to Northeastern runs deep—not only is he the parent of a current Northeastern student, but his family foundation established the Vivek and Vandana Sharma India Initiative at Northeastern's Center for Emerging Markets.
In a heartfelt speech that emphasized personal authenticity and resilience, Sharma offered graduates six key lessons he's learned throughout his career.
“Write your own story,” Sharma told the graduates, recounting how he left the security of private equity to lead companies with uncertain outcomes. “It was uncomfortable. It was uncertain. And it was the most rewarding decision of my life.”
Sharma emphasized the importance of embracing one's unique identity as a strength rather than a liability. “For years, I tried to blend in. To sound like everyone else. To lead like everyone else,” Sharma said. “But I learned: what makes you different is what makes you powerful.”
The commencement address delivered in Matthews Arena highlighted the difference between having a title and demonstrating true leadership. Sharma reminded graduates that leadership begins with mindful thoughts that eventually shape character and destiny.
“Leadership isn't about a corner office or how polished your LinkedIn profile is,” Sharma said. “It's about how you show up, especially when things get hard.”
In a particularly resonant moment, Sharma spoke candidly about failure, admitting that not all his ventures succeeded. “Some of the companies I built succeeded. Others didn't,” Sharma said. “But here's what I learned: failure doesn't define you. How you respond to it does.”
One of his most powerful lessons centered on the importance of people in business success. “Early in my career, I thought business was about numbers — margins, markets, models,” Sharma explained. “What matters more… is people. Your team. Your culture. Your relationships.”
Sharma concluded by encouraging graduates to define success on their own terms, noting that he's known wealthy individuals who were unfulfilled and others leading smaller, mission-driven companies who found daily purpose.
Throughout his career, Sharma has embodied this principle of purpose-driven leadership. Through the Vivek and Vandana Sharma Family Foundation, he has supported initiatives focused on women's health, empowerment, education, social advocacy, and environmental sustainability, reflecting his commitment to social transformation and generational impact.
Before his closing remarks, Sharma acknowledged the D'Amore-McKim faculty, thanking them for their “unwavering commitment” and for shaping “not just minds, but futures.”
As graduates prepare to enter a world facing AI advancement, climate change, and economic uncertainty, Sharma left them with a call to action from Swami Vivekananda: “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.”
“The world doesn't need more résumés,” Sharma concluded. “It needs more builders. Listeners. Problem-solvers. Truth-tellers. Dreamers. It needs you.”
