StoryFlight Labs Founder Gives Commencement Address at Tepper School of Business

On May 9, 2026, David Betts, Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Founder of the company gave the commencement address to the graduates from the Specialized Masters programs from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University.

In his remarks, David congratulated the graduates on the remarkable toolbox that they have constructed over the last two years and sought to emphasize the importance of how they choose to show up to lead with the toolbox that they have built.

Drawing on his own two decades of experience, he reflected on what happens when one finds oneself standing at the precipice of the unknown, where the domain within which one is operating is completely unknown. The truth is, the tools in that toolbox still work. When applied with purpose, and with a focus on impact, the tools transfer.

Find the thing that gives you purpose…Find the work where, when it’s hard – and it will be hard – you’re still glad you showed up. Where the impact you’re creating is the reason you start every morning.

David wants to thank Dean Isabelle Bajeux and the entire Tepper School of Business faculty for inviting him to share his thoughts with the graduating class. He was humbled and honored to be invited. David is a proud graduate of the Tepper School of Business where he earned an MBA and currently serves as the Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Tepper Alumni Advisory Board.