Sandberg told the City Colleges graduates that she believed one person can make a difference, pointing to Chancellor Cheryl Hyman — herself a City Colleges graduate — who had nearly doubled the graduation rate through a data-driven reinvention of the system. She used Hyman's story to argue that real impact comes not from staying comfortable but from reaching beyond what feels certain. This passage defined the moments that truly shape a life: pursuing jobs you don't feel qualified for, asking for help when you feel alone, speaking up when everyone else sees things differently. Sandberg's message resonated especially with this audience of students who had already overcome significant barriers — working day jobs while studying at night, supporting families while earning degrees.