Business School alumnus joins AACSB class of 2023 Influential Leaders
Dr Tam Robert Nguyen receives Influential Leaders award from AACSB International (AACSB) for societal impact.
6 February 2023
Dr Tam Robert Nguyen receives Influential Leaders award from AACSB International (AACSB) for societal impact.
Tam, a Newcastle University Business School (NUBS) alumnus, is one of 25 business school graduates who has been honoured by the accreditation body as a societal impact leader. He joins a prestigious list of other alumni from universities across the globe.
Tam studied the Doctor of Business Administration, a joint award with NUBS and Grenoble Ecole de Management, France.
Prioritising purpose and people
The Influential Leaders initiative celebrates alumni from AACSB accredited schools who are making a lasting impact in their industry, communities and around the world. The initiative, which has been running for eight years, also recognises how alumni are using their education from a business school to benefit others.
“Tam’s achievements demonstrate that success in business can also mean success for society. His efforts to prioritise purpose, people, and planet should inspire all of us to reorient our ideas about impactful leadership,” said Caryn Beck-Dudley, AACSB president and CEO. “It is a privilege to amplify his efforts and the entire 2023 Class of Influential Leaders.”
Since graduating from NUBS in 2013, Tam has excelled into the world of business with a focus on solving global sustainability challenges within large organisations. Tam is currently Global Head of Impact and President at bechtel.org, Bechtel Corporation, and has previously held roles in large organisations including Inter-American Development Bank, Chevron Corporation and The Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs.
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Tam’s societal impact
A key focus for Tam has been to inspire future business leaders through his work. He has provided corporate externships to young adults starting out in their careers who want to make a societal change. Tam has also taught courses to immigrants, university students and alumni on intrapreneurship and sustainability, where in turn he learns from his students. Tam’s conviction is that each person has a unique experience and background which generates ideas to evolve sustainability.
Alongside innovative projects for the next generation, Tam also recruits, mentors and offers support to young people within his team and the organisation, giving them the opportunity to work in leadership roles. A quality of Tam highlighted by his colleagues, is that he is known to recruit young aspiring leaders to “work himself out of a job”, so they can take over in these more senior positions. Many staff members who were recruited and mentored by Tam throughout his career have gone on to work their way up within their organisations.
I’m humbled and honoured to be recognised for this award. My late mother, a medical doctor, was instrumental in my decision to pursue a doctorate at Newcastle.
Tam said of his acknowledgement: “I’m humbled and honoured to be recognised for this award. My late mother, a medical doctor, was instrumental in my decision to pursue a doctorate at Newcastle. Similar to her experience in pathology, it shaped and influenced how I approached my sustainability and corporate responsibility career at major corporations. Even today my doctorate remains an integral part of my personal and professional journey, and most importantly, my growth mindset.”
Professor Stewart Robinson, Dean of Newcastle University Business School, said: “Newcastle University Business School seeks to create a more responsible, inclusive and just future for all. I am delighted to see one of our alumni being recognised for doing just that. Congratulations to Tam on receiving this prestigious award.”
Tam’s award recognition can be viewed in full on the AACSB website where it details how his efforts are making a lasting impact within society.
About AACSB
Established in 1916, AACSB is the world’s largest business education alliance, connecting educators, learners, and business to create the next generation of great leaders. With a presence in more than 100 countries and territories, AACSB fosters engagement, accelerates innovation, and amplifies impact in business education. Learn how AACSB is transforming business education for a better society at aacsb.edu.