Alumni leading to yes - Broad College of Business - Michigan State ...

In my own words...The first P is passion. You have to haveone great passion in your life and mineis tennis. The second P is persistencein giving back to the world. So manygreat things have come to me in mylife — I feel like I am on the 40th floorand I need to send the elevator downto bring others up here. I believe if youhelp just one person, you are truly doingsomething important. The third P ispatience, which is something we all haveto focus on when things are not goingwell. The fourth P is parents — in allof the world, there are only two peoplewho really want you to do better in lifethan they did. My parents, my family,my sister, Tania Kaur Narula (BA SupplyChain Management ’99) are everythingto me.My four Ps are surrounded by a pod,something that is very important to me:prayer. I am a Sikh and my religion isabout discipline, working hard, workinghonestly and remembering His name.It’s okay with me that not everyonehas the same beliefs, not everyone has areligion. But I think we all need faith insomething larger than ourselves to keepus going.Gratitude for good fortuneWhen I received the DistinguishedYoung Alumni Award from MichiganState, I was humbled and honored. Ihave been so lucky: I am 29 years oldand I am an executive in the financialservices practice at Accenture, one ofthe world’s largest management andconsulting firms. I have worked withthe top leaders in the top companies inthe world including SunTrust Banks,Ford Motor Company, Siemens, TheTravelers Companies, Steelcase and TheDow Chemical Company.After spending three months helpingothers after the 2004 Indian Oceantsunami disaster, then working for sixweeks after Hurricane Katrina as arescue team leader and volunteeringin many other capacities in the UnitedStates and in other countries, I see howmuch I still need to give.I have been so lucky. From the BroadSchool and Michigan State, I found outit’s okay to stand out: that’s how youbecome outstanding.Navneet SinghNarula(BA Marketing ’00)Executive-Financial ServicesAccenture InternalLawrenceville, Ga.Navneet Narula received the DistinguishedYoung Alumni Award from the Michigan StateUniversity Alumni Association in October 2007.The award is given annually to individuals whohave distinguished themselves by obtaining ahigh level of professional accomplishment andwho possess high standards of integrity andcharacter to positively reflect and enhance theprestige of MSU. These individuals demonstratea commitment to the university by continuingoutstanding volunteer service on behalf of theuniversity and/or participation and leadershipin meritorious public service on a local, state,national or international level.Narula became personally involved in the 2004Tsunami Relief Operations in South India andNicobar Islands, living in relief camps for threemonths and working with the survivors as ateam leader of an NGO, leading 45 medical andother volunteers. He managed the South Indiaand Andaman/Nicobar Island operation, buildingnew homes, preparing food for survivors,distributing supplies and providing medicalaid. He ultimately committed to provide twoorphaned children with lifelong education.In 2005, he spent six weeks in New Orleansassisting in the relief efforts following HurricaneKatrina. As a rescue team leader, he helped openmultiple relief shelters for survivors, procuringdesperately needed clothes, food suppliesand medical aid. Later that fall, he turned hisenergies to help those suffering in the aftermathof the Southeast Asia earthquake. As part ofhis long-term vision for the rehabilitation of thearea, he pioneered the first computer institute inPoonch, Kashmir.As a result of his many humanitarian projectsand his involvement in numerous charitable andcommunity-building initiatives (including manyin his adopted home city of Atlanta), he wasrecently recognized by Senator Hilary Clintonas among the “Outstanding 50 Asian Americansin Business.” He is a director of United Sikhs,an international non-profit, non-governmental,humanitarian relief, human development andadvocacy organization, aimed at empoweringthose in need, especially disadvantaged andminority communities across the world.12BROADBUSINESSwww.bus.msu.edu