Lead, Learn and Move Forward Together: EGADE Celebrates Its September 2026 Graduating Class in Monterrey

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

EGADE Business School at Tecnológico de Monterrey celebrated the graduation of its September 2026 Graduating Class from the EGADE Full-Time MBA and Master in Business Management.

The ceremony took place on September 26 at EGADE Business School in Monterrey and was streamed live through live.tec.mx.

The graduating class brought together students from different states across Mexico and from 12 countries and territories: Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Italy, Panama and Puerto Rico. Their diverse backgrounds reflect the global reach of the EGADE community.

The ceremony was attended by Alberto Arellano, CEO of La Costeña and guest speaker; Horacio Arredondo, Dean of EGADE Business School; Ernesto Amorós, Associate Dean of Faculty and Research; and Orla Branigan, Director of Global Engagement and Institutional Communications.

Carlos Enrique Loyo Díaz, from the Master in Business Management, and Yuliana Mary de Jesús Castro Balceiro, from the EGADE Full-Time MBA, received the Academic Excellence Distinction for achieving the highest GPA in their respective programs.

Learning from setbacks to lead

In his remarks as guest speaker, Arellano encouraged the graduating class to embrace mistakes as part of the learning process. He recalled a crisis he faced while leading a project at Danone and explained that, when his team needed guidance, his responsibility was to stand by them as they worked toward a solution.

“Leadership is not inherited with a title, nor is it exercised from a pedestal. It is built with the humility to listen to your team and the courage to stand beside them in the midst of the storm,” said the CEO of La Costeña.

Arellano also shared the challenges he and his family faced when they moved to France for a professional assignment. He described how the experience required them to adapt to a new environment and provided lessons that later shaped the way he approached leadership in global contexts.

“Don’t seek a perfect career free of setbacks. Seek a life full of challenges that make you learn,” he told the graduates.

Moving forward together

Eddie Alexander Castellanos Pardo, from the Master in Business Management, delivered remarks on behalf of the graduating class. Originally from Panama, he recalled that moving to Mexico meant leaving behind his family, friends and routines. The support of his classmates, he said, eventually made him feel that he was no longer far from home.

Reflecting on his experience throughout the program, he described discipline as a combination of purpose, consistency and sustainable processes. He encouraged his fellow graduates to embrace challenges, adjust course when necessary and recognize the progress they make along the way.

“Being 1% better every day does not mean achieving impossible perfection. It means never stopping moving forward,” he said.

Castellanos Pardo also thanked faculty, family and friends for their support throughout this stage of their lives.

“Success is much more enjoyable when it is shared,” he said.

Leading with empathy and hope

Before administering the graduation pledge, Arredondo shared three ideas to guide the graduates as they begin their next chapter: humility, empathy and hope. He encouraged them to recognize those who made their education possible and to understand the responsibility that comes with the opportunity to pursue a graduate degree.

“Leadership is not about shining in a room, but about making the entire room shine,” he said.

Arredondo encouraged the graduates to use their knowledge to advance innovative, ethical and sustainable businessesthat contribute to a more just society.

The dean described hope as a conviction that leads people to act when something needs to change.

“We can be the ones who create that change,” he said.

Finally, he reminded the newest members of the EGADE alumni community that the school will remain a place they can return to with new ideas and projects—or simply with the desire to continue learning.