Monique Oxender (MBA/MS ’04) Returns to Erb to Deliver 2025 Graduation Keynote
At this year’s Graduate Dual-Degree Commencement, the Erb Institute welcomed back one of its own: Monique Oxender, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer at Keurig Dr Pepper and a proud alum of the MBA/MS Class of 2004.
With more than two decades of experience advancing sustainability in the private sector—from launching global supply chain initiatives at Ford Motor Company to embedding sustainability into the core of a major beverage business—Monique returned to Erb not only as a leader in the field, but as a peer, mentor, and reminder of what’s possible.
In a speech that was both deeply moving and powerfully pragmatic, she addressed the graduates with a clear-eyed view of the road ahead—and an unwavering belief in their ability to shape it.
“You are emerging back into the workforce in a transformative time – during one of the most unpredictable, high-stakes chapters in recent history,” she said. “Unpredictability is unsettling, but make no mistake, you are collectively prepared to navigate and shape what comes next.”
A Message of Hope—and Action
Monique didn’t shy away from the realities Erb graduates will face as they step into careers at the intersection of business and sustainability: backlash, greenwashing, and systemic inertia. But her message wasn’t one of discouragement—it was one of persistent optimism.
“We are in a moment–albeit a tough moment–but it’s just a moment all the same. So, how do we use what we have learned and protect momentum and options for the future? There was a before, and there will be an after.”
Drawing on her own experience navigating corporate complexity, she reminded graduates that progress often happens in moments that are quiet, strategic, and incremental. It’s not always a sweeping policy or a bold product launch—it’s also the internal meeting where you shift the narrative, the data analysis that reframes a decision, the partnership that builds trust over time.
“It’s about the long game and relentless curiosity. The landscape is evolving fast, adjusting for the changing roles of policy, politics, media & information flows, and the consumer. Seeking the big picture will facilitate resilience.”
The Power of Community
At the heart of Monique’s remarks was a theme that has long defined the Erb experience: community. She encouraged graduates to lean on the relationships they’ve built in the program—and to continue cultivating them long after graduation.
“Erb doesn’t end when you walk across the stage. You have a super-powered network that places you in an ideal position to build coalitions and scale for impact–which is required no matter what issues you are working on. Stay connected. We need each other.”
She also underscored the unique strengths of the dual-degree perspective—how Erb graduates are trained to navigate complexity, bridge disciplines, and speak multiple languages across sectors and stakeholders.
“You speak many ‘languages.’ You can facilitate change by meeting people where they are at and bringing them along.”
Looking Forward
Monique closed with a call to action—one that acknowledged both the weight and the privilege of this work.
“This work is hard. Ultimately, your credibility will come from action, not intention. And I know that you are here for the action.”
As the graduates stepped into the next chapter of their lives, her words served as more than a sendoff. They were a reminder of what it means to lead with clarity, courage, and purpose.