ICL Speaker Series 2025 – Session 6 with Monika Tylova: Transformation Happens in Transition
15/09/2025
ICL Speakers Series 2025 - Session 6 -Transformation Happens in Transition
Wednesday, 10 September 2025 | ICL Education Centre
The sixth session of the ICL Speaker Series 2025 welcomed back a very special guest: Monika Tylova, alumna of ICL Graduate Business School, AI Transformation Partner, and Founder of AITHENTIC. She was introduced by our Academic Director, Dr Paula Ray, who emphasised the value of having an alumna return to share her professional journey and insights with current students.
Monika began by recounting her own story, which took her from a career as a police officer in Czechia to Auckland, where she arrived as an international student with almost no English. She spoke candidly about the ordeals of immigration and the challenges of adapting to a new environment, while also pursuing her postgraduate studies in International Business at ICL Graduate Business School. That experience, though filled with obstacles, gave her the foundation and resilience to establish her own business in New Zealand, which she now leads successfully.
Her presentation revolved around the idea that transformation is rarely linear. She explained that every person goes through dozens of major life disruptors, or “lifequakes,” such as job loss, illness, or significant personal changes. While these events are often uncomfortable, they can also open the door to growth and transformation. Monika encouraged students to pay attention to the signals of personal change—feelings of restlessness, emotional shifts, changes in goals or relationships, or a sense of being stuck—and to view these as opportunities to step into new phases of life. She reminded the audience that comfort zones do not create growth, and that resilience and adaptability are built when we move beyond what feels familiar.
Monika also spoke about the idea of the “adversity advantage,” where resilience is strengthened through challenges, building both confidence and an appetite for new opportunities. She stressed the difference between transaction and transformation, explaining that while transactions can provide temporary solutions, true transformation reshapes our outlook, purpose, and path forward.
Academic Director Dr Paula Ray, introducing guest speaker Monika Tylova
Guest speaker Monika Tylova during her presentation on “Transformation Happens in Transition”
The second part of her talk explored the transformative role of artificial intelligence. Monika introduced her consultancy, AITHENTIC, which partners with local AI developers to meet real business needs and empower organisations to lead their own AI adoption journeys. She explained how AI is reshaping the way we communicate, create, learn, and solve problems, and encouraged students to see generative AI as a useful tool to enhance their learning and creativity. She also stressed the importance of building AI competency frameworks so that future professionals can use these tools responsibly and effectively.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, where students had the opportunity to ask questions about personal resilience, professional growth, and the future of AI.
We thank Monika for returning to ICL Graduate Business School to share her inspiring story. Her journey from international student to business leader is a powerful reminder that transformation truly happens in transition, and that embracing challenges can lead to resilience, growth, and innovation.
Monika Tylova sharing with students her journey as an international student
Monika Tylov during her presentation as guest speaker
Guest Speaker Monika Tylova during the Q&A session
Guest Speaker Monika Tylova and ICL Academic Director Dr Paula Ray