Sanjyot Dunung’s journey is one that embodies the Thunderbird spirit of global leadership, innovation and service.
A proud alumna of the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, she earned her master's degree in international management in 1987 and recalls her time there as transformative — not just academically, but personally. Immersed in the school's truly international community, she developed a worldview that continues to shape her approach to business, policy and public service. For her, Thunderbird was more than a school; it was a launching pad into a life dedicated to bridging cultures and ideas.
Today, Dunung is a member of the Thunderbird Global Ambassador Network, where she remains actively engaged with fellow graduates. Her connection to Thunderbird was also deepened with a meaningful gift made in honor of her late father. Inspired by his conviction that education is the greatest driver of economic mobility, Dunung’s philanthropy reflects a commitment to advancing opportunities for future generations of Thunderbird students.
Her gift to the Thunderbird New Technology Fund established the One-Button Studio inside Thunderbird’s new global headquarters to honor her family’s legacy and create a lasting resource that underscores her dedication to innovation.
“Both of my parents believed in the transformative power of education. My father, an architect and philosopher, instilled in me a love of knowledge and curiosity about the world,” shared Dunung. “My gift honors his legacy and supports future Thunderbird students in embracing lifelong learning — not just as a career skill, but as a way of life.”
Beyond her Thunderbird ties, Dunung has built a vast career at the intersection of entrepreneurship, education and policy. She is the CEO and founder of Atma Global, a leading learning solutions company recognized by Fast Company as one of the “Most Innovative Companies.” She has served on former President Biden’s foreign policy working group on international trade, and today she is taking her global perspective into public service as a candidate for the U.S. Congress. Her campaign focuses on revitalizing the "American Dream" by prioritizing opportunity, fairness and collaboration — values she says were reinforced during her Thunderbird years.
We sat down with Dunung to learn more about her unique journey and Thunderbird experience.
Note: This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
Question: Looking back on your time at Thunderbird, what stands out most about your experience? How did it shape your personal and professional outlook?
Answer: What stands out most is the people. I loved meeting my classmates from so many countries, industries and life experiences. We all talk about the Thunderbird mystique, but for me, it’s not just a word — it’s a global mindset. Learning business concepts alongside people who saw the world differently was eye-opening, and it shaped how I approach challenges even today.
I was lucky to be at the (former) Glendale campus, where everyone mingled in classes, at the pub and across campus life. Some of my closest friends globally are people I met there or through the Thunderbird network over the years. Even though our careers took different directions, they continue to introduce me to new perspectives and experiences, influencing how I see the world.
Q: How have you stayed connected with the Thunderbird community?
A: I’ve really enjoyed re-engaging with Thunderbird over the last five years through TGAN (Thunderbird Global Ambassador Network). In such a fast-changing world, it’s refreshing to connect with people who share a commitment to ensuring the next generation of business leaders are globally minded and forward-looking.
From its founding, Thunderbird was ahead of its time — offering global business education when most schools were focused only on domestic markets. That perspective is even more essential now at a moment when globalization and trade are being questioned in many places. Our T-Bird community has an important role in leading those conversations — showing how businesses and professionals can advocate for trade, opportunity and inclusive growth.
Just as importantly, Thunderbird reinforced for me the responsibility we share in preparing the next generation. Leadership isn’t just about advancing your own ideas; it’s about equipping others with curiosity, adaptability and courage to solve problems that don’t yet exist. That’s the spirit that keeps me innovating and mentoring.
Q: Thunderbird is known for cultivating global leaders. In what ways did your education prepare you for your career as an entrepreneur and now as a candidate for Congress?
A: My Thunderbird education combined varied subjects, including entrepreneurship, global finance, Japanese language and marketing research — a foundation that let me move from banking into entrepreneurship and now public service.
Thunderbird instilled in me a deep understanding of how interconnected our world is — economically, culturally and socially. Innovation today isn’t just one brilliant idea; it’s connecting insights across borders, anticipating shifts and designing solutions that work in different contexts. This global lens has guided how I build partnerships, navigate complexity and embrace change. It also shaped the mission of my firm, Atma Global, which focuses on learning solutions that bring the world together.
The world needs leaders with experience across business, communities and government. My expertise at the convergence of business, learning, culture, technology and global affairs, along with my work on (former) President Biden’s foreign policy working group on international trade and my roles on the National Small Business Association and Truman Center for National Policy — all were built on the foundation Thunderbird provided. I continue to believe in America’s role as a global economic, cultural, technological and scientific leader and as a beacon of goodwill — and we must recommit to that role with reliability and consistency while striving to improve at home.
Q: You’ve built a remarkable career across entrepreneurship, policy and public service. How did your Thunderbird experience influence the way you approach innovation and problem-solving?
A: Thunderbird gave me both the global perspective and the practical toolkit to approach innovation collaboratively and cross-culturally. Being immersed in an international environment taught me that the best solutions come from integrating diverse perspectives. That mindset has guided my work in entrepreneurship, policy and public service — always looking to bridge cultures, markets and ideas.
As an EdTech entrepreneur, my firm was recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies. I now hope to bring that same perspective to government — to make it more efficient and effective for all Americans.
I’ve also been inspired by Thunderbird’s founding mission of peace through trade. After World War II, the school promoted trade as a pathway to peace and educated leaders to carry out that vision. That principle remains powerful today; countries that trade with each other are less likely to fight, reminding us that innovation isn’t only about products or policies — it’s about building relationships that foster peace and prosperity.
Q: Your current campaign centers on revitalizing the American Dream and championing people over politics. How do the values you learned at Thunderbird align with the vision you're bringing to your congressional race?
A: Thunderbird’s mission of peace through trade has always resonated with me. Global connection and cooperation create a more stable and prosperous world. That principle translates directly into my campaign — focusing on what unites us, not divides us, and creating opportunity through collaboration.
Revitalizing the American Dream means recommitting to opportunity, fairness and the belief that progress comes when we work together. It’s about commonsense solutions that put people ahead of politics, and leadership rooted in service, not partisanship.
Q: What advice would you give current Thunderbird students or young alumni who want to make an impact through public service?
A: My advice is to lean into the global perspective you gain at Thunderbird. Public service today requires leaders who can think across borders, understand economic interdependence and build trust across cultures. Use those skills not just to analyze problems, but to create solutions that bring people together. Practical experience in the private sector before public service helps create stronger, solutions-oriented leaders.
Challenges — from trade disruptions to climate change to technological shifts — don’t respect borders. Thunderbird equips you with the skills and cross-cultural intelligence to turn complexity into opportunity. Stay curious, seek diverse perspectives and remember that the best policies are where innovation and public good align.
Making a difference takes courage — the courage to ask hard questions, the humility to listen and the resilience to keep going when progress feels slow. As Thunderbird graduates, you carry a responsibility to lead with vision and empathy — laying the groundwork for future generations to thrive in a more connected, inclusive world.
Q: Finally, what message would you share with fellow alumni and the Thunderbird community as you reflect on your journey from Des Plaines to global entrepreneur, and now congressional candidate?
A: My journey from Des Plaines to becoming an entrepreneur and now congressional candidate has been shaped by values Thunderbird reinforced — curiosity, resilience and a belief in the power of global connection.
I didn’t expect to run for Congress, but our collective frustration with the lack of commonsense solutions inspired me to enter this race in May. I’m honored to be endorsed by ASPIRE PAC, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and Vote Common Good as a votes of confidence in my ability to win and serve effectively.
To fellow alumni and students: Never underestimate the impact of this community. We are part of a tradition of leaders who see the world not just as it is, but as it could be — more innovative, inclusive and interconnected. Whether building and running a business or shaping policy, Thunderbird alumni are uniquely prepared to turn global challenges into opportunities.
We are stewards of a global legacy. The future will demand leaders who innovate across cultures, marry purpose with pragmatism and lift others as they lead. Let’s continue not only to build successful careers, but also to shape a world where future generations can thrive. Because if not us, then who?
To learn more about Sanjyot Dunung’s campaign, visit www.SanjyotForCongress.com.