Keiron Durant

Stanford Graduate School of Business

“Island-boy, fashion king, tennis enthusiast, intellectually curious, creative problem-solver, calm, collected with effortless swag.”

Hometown: Trinidad and Tobago

Fun Fact About Yourself: I learned to tap dance as a kid and even performed at church as part of our dance ministry in Trinidad. My sister, who led the ministry, was my teacher. I still have my tap shoes to this day just waiting for their grand comeback. For now, I am trading in the tap steps for perfecting my tennis game. Who knows, maybe one day I will serve an ace and break into a tap routine just to keep things interesting.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Arkansas – B.S. Chemical Engineering, Louisiana State University- M.S. Chemical Engineering.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Principal Process Engineer, LANXESS Corporation

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Stanford GSB’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Where do I start? From the beginning of my business school journey, I was captivated by GSB’s unique learning ecosystem. Beyond its incredible people, what stood out most was how the curriculum is intentionally designed to develop both technical expertise and interpersonal skills. The GSB integrates a variety of learning methods, ensuring a well-rounded approach to growth.

I experienced this first hand at Admit Weekend during a session on active listening. We explored different levels of engagement and how they shape our ability to coach and lead effectively. The professor connected this to Interpersonal Dynamics, one of GSB’s most renowned courses. It was a defining moment for me, shifting my perspective on business school from purely technical training to a space for developing emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and relationship building. These are critical skills for leadership in any industry.

That experience crystallized why GSB was the right choice. Beyond world-class academics, the school fosters a culture of deep and meaningful connection. It was something I had heard about but truly felt after getting admitted and even more so after starting the program. The opportunity to develop both hard and soft skills in such an intentional and immersive way made Stanford the perfect fit.

What has been the most important thing that you’ve learned at Stanford GSB so far? The most important lesson I have learned at Stanford GSB is the power of intentional time management—deciding where to invest my energy instead of trying to do it all. From the moment you step on campus, life moves at an almost dizzying pace. It is like stepping onto a treadmill that is already at full speed. There is no warm-up period. Before classes officially begin, we dive straight into Managing Groups and Teams, an intensive course completed in the first week. We are placed into squads to support us through the first quarter while juggling accounting, finance, and organizational behavior within Stanford’s fast-moving quarter system.

But coursework is just one piece. At the same time, we are thrown into career exploration, networking with executives and recruiters, and attending social events happening almost every night. It is easy to fall into the trap of trying to do everything and losing focus. Before GSB, I told myself I would take on everything. But I quickly realized that spreading myself too thin would not allow me to fully engage in what truly matters. The real value comes from being intentional with my time and energy, focusing on what aligns with my goals so I can thrive rather than just keep up.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Stanford GSB? One of the most meaningful experiences I have had at Stanford GSB is being part of the Black Business Students Association (BBSA) and serving on the planning committee for our annual Gala and Conference. This event is a powerful moment of reflection, celebration, and connection, bringing together students, alumni, and industry leaders to honor our past, recognize our present impact, and shape the future.

This year is especially significant as Stanford GSB celebrates its 100th anniversary. Milestones like this inspire us to reflect on our legacy, focusing on how we sustain our community, uplift one another, and adapt to a world that is constantly evolving with advancements in AI, shifts in politics, and new business landscapes. Being part of this committee allows me to contribute to something bigger than myself, fostering conversations and connections that will define the future of Black excellence at the GSB.

Beyond the strategic impact, this experience is deeply personal. Coming from an engineering background, business school meant stepping into new spaces, industries, and expectations. In BBSA, I found not just a student organization, but a space to be my full self, celebrate my identity, and build meaningful relationships.

What quality best describes your MBA classmates you’ve met so far? Give an example why this is true. One of the most defining qualities of my MBA classmates is their genuine care for others. It goes beyond professional ambition or networking. It is a deep desire to truly connect, understand, and support each other as people first. At the GSB, success is not just measured by business achievements but by the depth of the relationships we build and the trust we cultivate within our community.

This ethos is best reflected in one of the most meaningful traditions at the GSB: TALK. Every week, two students take the stage and share their story in whatever way feels right to them. There are no expectations, just an open space to be real. Some share deeply personal struggles, others reflect on their biggest accomplishments, and many talk about how their challenges have shaped them into who they are today, making them even more committed to their journey. What makes TALK so powerful is not just the stories themselves but the way the entire room listens with empathy and respect. It is a moment where we set aside resumes, case studies, and career ambitions to focus on something much deeper, our shared humanity.

In a place filled with some of the most accomplished people I have ever met, it would be easy to get caught up in surface level accolades. But TALK reminds us that behind every success is a story, behind every achievement is a journey, and behind every leader is a person who has faced struggles, there are doubts, and growth. The fact that this level of openness is not only encouraged but embraced at the GSB speaks to the culture of trust and vulnerability that makes this community unlike any other.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Securing a job after earning my master’s degree from Louisiana State University was a defining moment in my career and my ability to continue pursuing my dreams in America. Despite a strong academic record, my immigration status made finding internships and full-time jobs nearly impossible. Hoping to improve my chances, I pursued a master’s degree at LSU and began applying nine months before graduation. I faced rejection-after-rejection, mostly from companies unwilling to sponsor a work visa. One company took me through three rounds of interviews before turning me down for “commercial reasons.” Realizing I had no choice but to go all in, I committed to submitting at least ten applications a day.

By the time I graduated, I still had no job, and under F-1 visa rules, I had three months to secure one before being forced to leave the country. As my final month approached, I started making plans to return home, nearly giving up. Then, I took one last shot. With barely any money left, I paid for an Arkansas alumni membership to access its job portal. I stumbled across a chemical company in El Dorado, Arkansas, and despite the remote location, I applied.

To my surprise, they reached out for an interview. Not only were they excited about me, but they also offered to sponsor my work visa within my first year. Thanks to the manager from LANXESS who saw my value, that opportunity changed everything, paving the way for me to gain permanent residency and continue building my career in the US. This experience taught me that sometimes, all it takes is one yes—but only if you keep pushing until you find it.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? One of my biggest accomplishments as an MBA student has been my growth in Leadership Labs, a course that pushed me outside my comfort zone. As much as this class fueled my anxiety, it was a necessary challenge and one that I knew I had to embrace if I wanted to become a successful leader. Throughout the quarter, I played different leadership roles—dissenting, influencing, and even making tough decisions like firing an underperforming employee. I tend to hold back in group settings, often second-guessing whether my ideas add value or worrying about how others might perceive my comments. My goal was to be more assertive and trust that my contributions mattered. My squadmates continually encouraged me, and over time, I saw real progress.

By the end of the quarter, during the Executive Challenge, I role-played as CEO and successfully earned buy-in from the entire board for my proposal. That moment was a culmination of the small steps I took to build confidence in my leadership voice, reinforced by the support of my peers. What felt like a challenge at first became one of the most transformative experiences of my MBA journey.

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? One of my best memories as an MBA student was traveling to Chile for my Global Study Trip with 30 of my classmates. The experience was incredible from start to finish. Beyond exploring Chile’s rich culture and breathtaking landscapes, we got an up-close look at the mining industry’s role in the global energy transition. The highlight of the trip was visiting an underground copper mine and descending 1,000 meters below the Earth’s surface—something I never imagined I would do. Standing deep underground, surrounded by massive tunnels and mining operations, gave me a new appreciation for the complexity of an industry that powers so much of our world.

But what made the trip truly unforgettable was the people. I formed lifelong friendships with classmates I might not have otherwise crossed paths with, bonding over shared experiences, late-night conversations, and some of the best food and wine Chile had to offer. Our last day at a beautiful winery, owned by a GSB alum, was the perfect way to wrap up the journey—reflecting on everything we had learned while enjoying incredible wine and breathtaking views. It was a reminder that the MBA experience is about so much more than academics; it is about the connections, the adventures, and the moments that push you outside your comfort zone.

What advice would you give to a prospective applicant looking to join the Stanford GSB Class of 2026? The application process and your two years in business school move very fast! As MBAs, we have a natural tendency to over optimize everything, trying to maximize every opportunity, build the perfect network, and map out the ideal career path. But do not tire yourself out chasing everything. The real challenge is knowing what truly matters to you and making space for it.

Take care of yourself and prioritize what keeps you grounded. Your mental health is not a luxury. It is the foundation for everything else. And when imposter syndrome creeps in (because it will), remember that you are here for a reason. You are just as capable and just as deserving as anyone else in the room. Own your story, bet on yourself, and make this experience your own.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE STANFORD GSB MBA CLASS OF 2026