You are here

Roanak Desai Memorial View From The Top

The annual Roanak Desai Memorial View From The Top is an occasion for the Stanford GSB community to honor Roanak’s legacy, his contribution to the school, and his impact on others the world over.

Roanak Desai (1978-2010) was an integral member of the class of 2010. Through his positive spirit, warm humor, generosity, leadership, and intellectual curiosity, Roanak embodied what Stanford GSB represents. He was clearly on a path to have impact and change lives, change organizations, and change the world.

Roanak was selected by his peers as the 2010 Ernest C. Arbuckle Award recipient. This award is presented to a second-year MBA student who, by his or her active participation, initiative, leadership and personal integrity, is judged as having contributed most to the fulfillment of the goals of Stanford GSB goals in his or her actions both within school and society.

At the school, as in his pre-business school roles, Roanak stood apart from his peers through his leadership, authenticity, humility, and generosity. He had an amazingly broad perspective on business and life, which he actively sought to expand through travel, relationships, and spirituality.

Each year, one leader who exemplifies the characteristics that made Roanak so special is asked to give this unique View From The Top talk.

Past Roanak Desai Memorial Speakers

2014-15

Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures

2013-14

Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors

2012-13

Kenneth Chenault, chairman and CEO of American Express

2011-12

Vikram Pandit, CEO of Citigroup, Inc.

2010-11

Robert Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company

2009-10

Jeff Immelt, chairman and CEO of GE