Prudential CFO Tells Graduates: Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

Beautiful weather set the stage for a flawlessly orchestrated graduation ceremony for Rutgers Business School's graduate programs at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. NJPAC appeared filled to capacity with family and friends of the candidates for the Master of Business Administration, Executive MBA, MBA in Professional Accounting and twelve specialty master’s degrees.

The Porch Pirates, led by guitarist Professor Morris A. Davis, Paul V. Profeta Chair of Real Estate and the academic director of the Center for Real Estate Studies at Rutgers Business School, rocked the Center. Their rocking version of Pomp and Circumstance as the faculty procession entered had everyone dancing, including the gonfalonier, Professor Wayne Eastman.

Professor Shen Yeniyurt, vice dean for academic programs and learning assurance, and co-editor-in-chief of Rutgers Business Review, began the formal program by asking the veterans and active military among the graduates to stand and be recognized.

Dean Lei Lei began her remarks by acknowledging the challenges graduates overcame to earn their degrees. She said, “From the global pandemic to inflation and financial stress, to work/life balance, and so many deadlines, with a determined mind, you managed it all to graduate today from Rutgers Business School.” 

Dean Lei stressed the importance of lifelong learning to keep up with the rapidly changing business world and emerging technologies. She then quoted Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford University commencement address, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. The success of your career is not just measured by how much you make, but also by the value you create for others.”

She emphasized that the graduates carry the RBS Brand, which makes RBS alumni strong business leaders. “You carry the same DNA as the 653 CEOs and C-suite officers who graduated from RBS since the 1950s,” she said. Dean Lei finished by highlighting that they can compete with any graduate from any school in the country.

Yanela Frias, EVP & CFO of Prudential Financial, gave an inspiring keynote address that included personal stories to illustrate her message to the graduates: Growth comes from discomfort; get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and be open to new possibilities.

Her family came to the U.S. when Frias was eight years old. She spoke no English, and sitting in the middle of her fourth-grade class, she did not understand one word. By the end of the day, her teacher realized she needed to learn English, and she was transferred to an ESL class the next day.

The experience left a lasting impression on her: being uncomfortable can be a source of strength and confidence; it is where you learn and grow. Frias continues to put herself in uncomfortable situations. More recently, she had to take her first earnings call as the first female CFO in Prudential’s 150-year history. 

Frias concluded, “My biggest hope for you is that the years ahead will be intellectually challenging, personally rewarding, and from time to time just a little bit uncomfortable, you will be better for it. Keep learning and cherish the moments of discomfort.”