Webster Geneva Celebrates the Class of 2026

On May 15, 2026, Webster Geneva held its annual commencement ceremony at the Intercontinental Geneva. Graduates were joined by family, friends, faculty and staff to mark the achievements and global spirit of this year's class.

The ceremony began with a welcome from Ryan Guffey, PhD, Executive Vice President of Webster International, who addressed the Class of 2026 as “thoughtful, resilient and globally minded individuals ready to shape the world.”

Reflecting on Geneva as a global crossroads for diplomacy, innovation and culture, Guffey praised the graduates for their adaptability and mindfulness in navigating a rapidly changing world. He closed with three pieces of advice: embrace a global perspective, stay curious and adaptable, and lead with integrity, citing former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's reminder that “we all belong to one human race.”

This year's commencement address was delivered by Vincent Subilia, Director General of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services. Subilia also serves as President of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry and sits on the boards of the Swiss Arbitration Center and ICC Switzerland.

Speaking on leadership, adaptability and the value of building meaningful connections, Subilia encouraged graduates to be smart, humble, agile, resolute and passionate, adding resilience as a further quality for the road ahead. Drawing on his recovery following a skydiving accident, Subilia urged graduates to cherish life and embrace resilience, quoting Winston Churchill, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." He also highlighted Geneva's standing as the world's leading diplomatic capital and reminded graduates they are now ambassadors of the city's spirit of openness and collaboration.

Outstanding Undergraduate Student: Angelica Raine Gutierrez

Known to her friends as “Angel,” Angelica Raine Gutierrez graduates with a double major: a BA in Management with an Emphasis in Marketing and a BA in Media Studies. Her four years at Webster were marked by extensive leadership, from serving as President of the Art Club to founding the Hiking Club, the Writing Club and the campus's biannual poetry open mic. She was also active in the LEADS Program, the Webster Humanitarian Association, the Media Club and Webster Model United Nations, and she independently led the campus mural project “Stairs of Life.”

Beyond campus, Gutierrez competed at the A-League and national level for the Geneva Seahawks women's flag football team, and she received the Geneva Writers' Group Emerging Voices Scholarship for the Writers Conference. In her remarks, she encouraged her fellow graduates to pause and appreciate the moment, reflecting on the friendships, sacrifices and growth of the past four years and telling classmates that “our lives are just beginning.”

Outstanding Graduate Student: Jill Robinson

Jill Robinson graduates with an MA in Counseling with an Emphasis in Community Counseling, following more than 20 years of experience in international education. Her academic path also includes a bachelor's degree in Geography, a postgraduate certificate in Education in Geography and Sport and a master's degree in European Business. Having lived in the United Kingdom, France, Argentina and Switzerland, Robinson brings a deeply global perspective to her counseling practice. Alongside her studies, she taught business management and geography and supported the nonprofit Global Health Network International in promoting resilience within vulnerable communities.

In her address, Robinson spoke candidly about overcoming her fear of public speaking during the program, telling fellow graduates that “the future doesn't belong to those who are unafraid. It belongs to those who move forward anyway.”

As the Class of 2026 embarks on its next chapter, Webster Geneva welcomes its graduates into the Webster Geneva Campus Alumni Association, joining a global network whose connections span industries, cultures and continents. Graduates are encouraged to stay engaged by mentoring future students, participating in alumni events and sharing their expertise with the global Webster community.

Webster extends its sincere gratitude to Commencement Speaker Vincent Subilia for his inspiring address. His reflections on leadership, adaptability and the value of building meaningful connections offered timely guidance as graduates prepare to navigate an increasingly interconnected world. 

Congratulations, Class of 2026.