He expected to find people trumpeting their accomplishments but instead has been stunned by “the humility of the class.”
Geoff Calder, MBA ’19, is one of five 2019 Siebel Scholars at Stanford GSB. | Photo by Stacy Geiken
One of five Siebel Scholars in the Stanford GSB Class of 2019, Geoffrey Calder grew up near Toronto, Canada, and attended the Ivey Business School at Western University, where he graduated first in his class and as an Ivey Scholar.
He worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs and spent two years in New York at the Carlyle Group. There, he was involved with a number of consumer product, retail, and travel and entertainment transactions. Over the summer, Calder worked as a vice president at Bain Capital in Boston. Calder is an avid golfer and serves as the co-president of Stanford GSB’s golf club.
Which Stanford GSB class have you found the most challenging?
In quantitative courses, answers were often “right” or “wrong,” but in Managing Groups and Teams, we had to make decisions on hiring, firing, managing conflict, and so on; there was no single solution. It forced me to marry the human facets of business with the economic facets.
What surprised you most about Stanford GSB?
The humility of the class. In such an accomplished group, I worried that the atmosphere might be one where folks would trumpet their achievements to impress the “competition.” To my surprise, the Stanford GSB community placed greater emphasis on inclusiveness, teamwork, and the acknowledgment of vulnerability.
What was your first job?
Pool construction. It was my first exposure to the complexity of how things are made and fostered my curiosity about supply chains — the way that inputs are delivered from around the globe by a wide range of intermediaries and combined with labor to produce a finished product.
What’s your ideal travel destination?
Toronto, which is home. While visiting new places broadens my perspective, my heart never feels more full than it does after spending time with the people whose support for me has never wavered.
— Jenny Luna
About Siebel Scholars
Established in 2000 by the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation, the Siebel Scholars program awards grants to leading universities in the United States, China, France, Italy, and Japan. Following a competitive review process by the deans of their respective schools on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and demonstrated leadership, the top graduate students from 27 partner programs are selected each year as Siebel Scholars. On average, Siebel Scholars rank in the top 5% of their class, many within the top 1%.
About the Siebel Foundation
The Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation, a nonprofit, public benefit corporation, was established as a private foundation in 1996. Its mission is to foster programs and organizations that improve the quality of life, environment, and education of its community members. The Siebel Foundation funds projects to support the homeless and underprivileged, education and research, public health, and alternative energy solutions.
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