In a powerful demonstration of cross-disciplinary innovation and corporate partnership, the Daniels School of Business and Purdue’s College of Engineering recently hosted senior leaders from Emerson, a global industrial technology powerhouse.
Business school dean James Bullard and College of Engineering dean Arvind Raman welcomed Emerson President and CEO Lal Karsanbhai, Chief Technology Officer Peter Zornio, and Chief People Officer Nick Piazza to campus. The visit centered around fostering innovation, building student-industry connections, and showcasing how engineering and business education can come together to prepare future leaders.
The focal point of the visit was Karsanbhai’s keynote at the Daniels School’s Executive Forum, an event open to the public, designed to promote discussion around the critical issues facing business and management today.
Karsanbhai began by sharing Emerson’s evolution from its origins as a small electric motor manufacturer to its current standing as a $17.5 billion global industrial technology leader delivering advanced automation solutions. He reflected on his own 30-year career journey with Emerson, having joined as an international planner and rising through a series of global leadership roles to become CEO.
“I’ve had the privilege of working across continents, in roles that challenged me to think strategically and act decisively,” Karsanbhai said. “Each step helped shape my approach to leadership — especially learning from both outstanding managers and difficult experiences.”
Karsanbhai’s insights reinforce “everything we’re striving to teach,” Bullard said. “How to lead with clarity, how to innovate with purpose, and how to build a career grounded in integrity and global impact.”
When asked about his leadership principles, Karsanbhai emphasized clarity, accountability and empathy. “Leadership is about setting a clear direction and holding yourself and your team accountable. But it’s also about listening. At Emerson, we lead with a people-first mentality. We call it ‘Let’s Go.’”
In alignment with the Daniels School’s mission to equip students at the intersection of business and technology, Karsanbhai discussed how Emerson’s strategies are being shaped by AI, advanced automatio, and the ongoing digital transformation of the industry.
Purdue’s programs, including the Daniels School’s Integrated Business and Engineering (IBE) undergraduate program and the Master of Business and Technology (MBT), were highlighted as prime examples of academic innovation preparing students to contribute meaningfully to companies like Emerson.
“Technical skills matter, but so do the soft skills — communication, adaptability, collaboration. As technology reshapes our world, we need leaders who can speak both the language of engineers and the vision of business,” Karsanbhai said.
Throughout the session, Karsanbhai fielded questions from students and faculty on how Emerson is navigating the fast pace of technological change. He pointed to several key initiatives:
As technology reshapes our world, we need leaders who can speak both the language of engineers and the vision of business.
He also underscored the importance of technological fluency among leadership.
“To drive innovation, our leaders need to understand the tools and systems our engineers use. That alignment allows us to solve customer problems faster and more creatively.”
In an era where the future of business is inextricably linked with technology, Purdue and Emerson are united in their belief: It’s not just about mastering emerging tools — it’s about mastering the leadership that brings them to life.
