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Business leader Ray Gupta received an honorary doctor of laws from 91��ɫ and shared the importance of building success through resilience and humility with the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) graduating class.

Gupta is chairman and CEO of Sunray Group, one of the largest privately owned hotel operators in Canada. From humble beginnings as an immigrant, Gupta transformed his company into one of Canada's fastest growing hospitality and development enterprises. A dedicated philanthropist, Gupta along with the Sunray Foundation has donated more than $1 million in recent years to numerous causes, including the Scarborough Health Network, Northumberland Hills Hospital and Positive and Progressive Educational Support Canada, which funds girls' education in rural India.

Kathryn McPherson, interim dean, LA&PS, introduced Gupta as “a true embodiment of the values represented by a 91��ɫ honorary doctorate,” during the June 16 convocation ceremony.

“What sets Mr. Gupta apart is that his success extends far beyond business achievements. It is his deep commitment to philanthropy and community impact that truly defines his legacy,” she said.

Gupta’s speech reflected on his journey immigrating to Canada in 1976. He shared how he arrived from India with limited resources, no clear plan and a strong work ethic.

“I did not arrive with a master plan," he said. "I was simply trying to figure out how to take the next steps."

In his early years, Gupta worked multiple jobs across Ontario, often taking on any task available. From retail jobs to manual labour, these experiences shaped his discipline, humility and deep appreciation for opportunity, reinforcing his belief that hard work can build a better future.

He noted that success rarely follows a predictable path, and encouraged graduates not to feel pressured to have everything figured out.

“Life rarely works that way. Most of us move forward one opportunity at a time, one difficult day at a time,” he said.

Gupta also spoke about the importance of taking risks, and recounted his first time overseeing the construction and operation of a hotel – a career he had no experience in. This endeavour taught him that growth often comes before confidence, and it takes a leap of faith and trust in your abilities.

“Sometimes life throws you into the deep end before you feel ready,” he said. “If you wait until you feel 100 per cent prepared, you’ll be waiting forever.”

As his career progressed and his company, Sunray Group, grew into a leading hospitality and development firm, Gupta turned his focus toward giving back. He explained that his philanthropic efforts centered on three pillars: education, community and health care.

Notably, the Gupta family strongly supports 91��ɫ’s Markham Campus, describing it as a place where future leaders, community builders and innovators can come together.

Throughout his address, Gupta returned to the idea that success is rooted in people and relationships, not individual achievement. Drawing on his experiences in leadership, he emphasized that the way individuals treat others leaves a lasting impact.

“People don’t remember the outcome, they remember how you make them feel,” he said. “True leadership is never about authority; it is entirely about people.”

He also credited his family, colleagues and mentors as central to his success, emphasizing that no accomplishment is achieved alone. He highlighted the importance of showing gratitude for those who opened a door, offered guidance and believed in his potential.

“Success is never an individual sport. No successful person builds a monument entirely alone,” he said.

In closing, Gupta encouraged graduands to focus not only on achievement, but on character, and reminded them that long-term success is shaped by values as much as ambition.

“Your degree will open doors, but it is your character, your resilience, your humility and the way you treat others that will determine what happens after those doors open,” he said.

He urged graduating students to move forward with confidence, kindness and a willingness to create opportunities – not only for themselves, but for others.

“Time changes, technology evolves, but the human connection remains the same,” he said. “Please remember that your journey does not need to be perfect.”

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