Play video: Always Growing: Sasha Krstic on Learning, Authenticity and Finding Your Voice (opens in modal)
For Sasha Krstic (IMBA ’03), growth has often meant being willing to step outside what is familiar.
Originally from Western Canada, Krstic came to Schulich ready to experience a different part of the country and broaden a global perspective that had interested her from an early age.
That willingness to seek out new experiences became an important part of her education.
“You will definitely miss out if you don’t take the opportunities that are presented in front of you to try something different and learn something new,” she says.
Whether moving to a new country or experiencing a range of jobs, Krstic believes stepping into unfamiliar environments challenges existing assumptions and adds to the perspectives, relationships and experiences people can draw on throughout their lives.
“It’s a mistake not to find a way to embrace the vast world that we live in,” she says.
At Schulich, some of that learning happened beyond the classroom. Krstic points to clubs, cultural events, group projects and the Graduate Business Council as opportunities to build relationships with people outside her immediate cohort.
“It really is up to you to figure out which opportunities you want to seize because there’s plenty,” she says.
Those experiences helped shape a career philosophy grounded not only in seeking different perspectives, but also in having the confidence to bring your own.
Early in her career, Krstic received feedback that her yellow nail polish wasn’t appropriate for an aspiring female business leader. Rather than changing herself to fit someone else’s idea of what a leader should look like, the experience reinforced the importance of authenticity.
“If we judge people on what they present, we’re going to miss out on all the goodness that is inside,” she says.
That commitment to authenticity also shapes how Krstic thinks about leadership. She describes her approach as “humanistic leadership,” rooted in seeing people first and recognizing the experiences they bring with them.
“It’s about doing a lot more listening than speaking,” she says. For Krstic, strong leadership also means creating space for different perspectives rather than surrounding yourself with people who simply tell you what they think you want to hear.
It’s a lesson she passes on to emerging leaders, particularly young women. Krstic encourages them to find their authentic voice, build networks beyond the circles where they already feel comfortable and have the confidence to share their ideas.
That confidence doesn’t mean expecting the path to unfold exactly as planned. Krstic considers persistence and resilience essential to any career, particularly in the moments that force you to question whether you’re headed in the right direction.
“There are some things that go as expected and there are others that make you evaluate or take a moment of reflection to say, am I on the right path or do I need to pivot?” she says.
For Krstic, those moments are key components of success: making a decision, committing to it and having the self-awareness to change direction when needed.
Over time, that perspective has also shaped how Krstic measures success. Growth isn’t only about her own learning or advancement, but about creating the conditions for other people to contribute, develop and succeed.
Perhaps that’s why Krstic has never viewed education simply as preparation for a job.
“I went to learn and to become a well-rounded person,” she says.
For Krstic, success is part of that same ongoing process: embracing opportunities, learning through change, helping others grow and having the confidence to remain yourself along the way.
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