For Chancellor Nicholas Brathwaite, returning to St. George’s University’s Grenada campus as the 2026 commencement speaker was more than a professional honor—it was a deeply personal milestone.
A Grenadian-born technology executive, entrepreneur, and investor, Chancellor Brathwaite has spent decades helping shape some of the world’s leading technology companies. As a founding managing partner of Celesta Capital, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm, he has built a distinguished career at the intersection of innovation, business, and leadership. Most recently, he was appointed Chancellor of McMaster University, his alma mater, becoming the institution’s 20th chancellor.
Prior to Celesta, he co-founded Riverwood Capital and served as chairman and CEO of Aptina Imaging, a global leader in semiconductor imaging technology. Throughout his career, he has also held leadership positions at Flextronics, Intel, and several public and private companies.
Speaking during SGU’s 50th anniversary commencement celebration made the experience especially meaningful, giving Chancellor Brathwaite an opportunity to share lessons from his own journey while encouraging graduates to embrace the opportunities ahead.
“Change creates new frontiers, and new frontiers create new opportunities. Instead of fearing change, we should embrace it and focus on how we can help shape the future.” — Chancellor Brathwaite
In addition to addressing the graduating class, Chancellor Brathwaite reflected on SGU’s impact on Grenada and paid tribute to University chancellor Dr. Charles Modica for his lasting contributions to the country.
Following the ceremony, SGU News sat down with Chancellor Brathwaite to discuss his commencement address, the future of artificial intelligence, and the qualities graduates will need to succeed in an era of constant change.
SGU: What does being selected as this year’s commencement speaker mean to you?
Chancellor Brathwaite: Being selected as this year’s commencement speaker at St. George’s University was truly an honor. What made it even more special is that this is the University’s 50th anniversary. Being able to speak at such a historic moment made the experience incredibly meaningful.
Beyond serving as the speaker, I was proud to be there as a Grenadian who deeply appreciates what SGU has done for our country. It was also a privilege to thank Dr. Modica for the tremendous contributions he has made to Grenada over the years.
SGU: What message did you most want graduates to take away from your speech?
Chancellor Brathwaite: My audience included people from different countries, backgrounds, and professions, so I wanted to make sure there was something meaningful for everyone.
One of the key messages was that we are living through a period of extraordinary transformation, driven largely by technology. While change can create uncertainty, it also creates opportunity. Rather than fear change, people should embrace it and think about the role they can play in shaping the future.
I also emphasized the importance of excellence. In today’s world, being good enough is no longer enough. If you want to make an impact and create meaningful change, you have to pursue excellence in everything you do.
Finally, I wanted graduates to recognize the important role SGU has played—and continues to play—in Grenada’s development and future success.
SGU: Looking back on your own journey, what advice do you wish someone had given you at graduation?
Chancellor Brathwaite: Throughout my life and career, I’ve been fortunate to receive advice from many people, but one of the most influential lessons came from my mother.
She fiercely protected our self-confidence. She never allowed us to believe that others were better than us, nor did she encourage us to think we were better than anyone else. As a result, I grew up believing I could achieve whatever I set my mind to.
That confidence stayed with me throughout my education and career. It gave me the courage to tackle difficult problems and take on challenges that others might avoid. Looking back, that belief in myself became one of the foundations of my success.
SGU: Was there a particular moment in your career or life that shaped the perspective you shared today?
Chancellor Brathwaite: There wasn’t one defining moment. Instead, my journey has been shaped by many inflection points along the way.
One of the most significant was my decision to become an entrepreneur. Growing up in Grenada, we were taught to work hard, get a good education, and build a successful career. Entrepreneurship wasn’t something many of us considered.
When I was approached by a group in Silicon Valley about joining a startup as a founding member, my initial reaction was no. It took time before I agreed. Ultimately, that decision changed the trajectory of my career.
As an entrepreneur, I had to expand far beyond my technical expertise. I had to learn how to build teams, hire people from different disciplines, and lead a growing business. Those experiences broadened my perspective and opened doors I never imagined.
SGU: Many graduates are stepping into uncertain futures. What encouragement would you offer them?
Chancellor Brathwaite: We are living through a period of significant change, and change creates new frontiers. New frontiers create new opportunities.
My advice is to embrace change rather than fear it. That’s not always easy, but if you focus only on the risks, you’ll miss the opportunities that come with transformation.
We can’t stop change from happening. Instead, we should ask ourselves how we can lead through it, adapt to it, and use it to create a better future for ourselves and the communities we serve.
SGU: Artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every industry, but it has also raised concerns about job displacement. How do you view AI’s impact on the future of work?
Chancellor Brathwaite: I actually think the term ‘artificial intelligence’ isn’t entirely accurate. I prefer to think of it as ‘augmented intelligence.’
Over the decades, society has generated enormous amounts of data. The human mind can’t effectively process all of it, but AI gives us tools to analyze that information, gain insights, and make better decisions.
Like any transformative technology, AI presents challenges. There will always be people who misuse technology, and some jobs may disappear as a result of automation. However, new opportunities and entirely new professions will emerge as well.
I don’t believe most people will lose their jobs directly to AI. I believe they are more likely to lose their jobs to someone who knows how to use AI better than they do. That’s why it’s important to understand these tools and learn how to use them to become more effective and productive.
SGU: What qualities do you think today’s graduates will need most to succeed in their professions?
Chancellor Brathwaite: In an environment defined by constant innovation and change, several qualities become especially important.
Curiosity is one. Curiosity drives learning and helps people better understand the world around them. Integrity is another essential quality because trust and character matter regardless of industry or profession.
Finally, a commitment to lifelong learning is critical. The world will continue to evolve, and the people who thrive will be those who remain open to learning, growing, and adapting throughout their careers.
