On April 22, the Alumni Relations Office (ARO) warmly welcomed back Leslie Suntay, MBA 2005, to the AIM campus for an engaging session of Alumni Hour with IMBA students. Leslie currently serves as the Head of Strategic Planning at Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (PTC), a leading maritime manpower company. He also recently served as Chairman of the AIM Grand Alumni Homecoming held last February.
In his talk, Leslie blended personal anecdotes, professional insights, and enduring life lessons drawn from over two decades of experience in entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, and civic service.
The session began with a 10-minute playlist of iconic film scores by John Williams, featuring themes from Star Wars, Schindler’s List, and Harry Potter. Leslie used Williams’ musical legacy as a powerful metaphor for resilience, creativity, and growth. The famous two notes from the Jaws soundtrack, he noted, serve as a reminder that the smallest elements can have a profound impact, much like the small decisions we make every day.
Leslie’s entrepreneurial journey began during his student days at AIM with a sportswear venture launched as part of his Management Research Report (now called the Capstone Project). While the early wins were rewarding, they came with hard-earned lessons in perseverance and adaptability.
Eventually, Leslie transitioned into corporate leadership at PTC, a 46-year-old company that has deployed over 400,000 seafarers globally. He emphasized that entering the corporate world didn’t mean leaving entrepreneurship behind. Rather, it enabled it. “Corporate pays the bills; entrepreneurship feeds the soul,” he shared.
To inspire students navigating their own career paths, Leslie introduced a four-part mental model for building a fulfilling and purpose-driven career:
- Embrace Humility
Even with talent and credentials, humility is key. Leslie recounted how John Williams once faced a skeptical orchestra and had to prove himself all over again.
“Humility isn’t weakness. It’s what lets you grow with others.”
- Create with Excitement
Choose work that energizes and excites you. Whether it’s pitching to executives or launching a new venture, passion drives excellence.
- Find Your Balance
Balancing career, personal life, and civic duty may be challenging, but it’s achievable. Leslie cited his time as a barangay official as an example of finding purpose beyond the office.
- Speak and Walk with Impact
Success isn’t just about personal achievement, it’s about uplifting others and making a meaningful difference.
He also encouraged students to shift from a “fixed mindset” to a “growth mindset,” focusing not only on personal accomplishments but also on mentoring and empowering others. He reminded them that AIM’s real impact shows not in grades, but in the legacy they leave.
“Leave AIM thinking not just about what you can do, but how you can do it with purpose.”
The session concluded with a lively Q&A and a raffle of tumblers for attendees. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Leslie Suntay for his time, insights, and the inspiration he shared with the IMBA students.
