Queen Diambi inspires EMBA community at Cambridge Judge

Cambridge Judge Business School recently had the honour of hosting Her Royal Highness Queen Diambi Kabatusuila Tshiyoyo Muata, traditional monarch of the Bakwa Luntu People in the Democratic Republic of Congo, for an inspiring fireside chat held during the pre-arrival networking event for the Cambridge Executive MBA 2025 cohort, to which the Cambridge Executive MBA 2024 cohort were also invited.

Wisdom rooted in culture and sustainability

The invitation was extended by Cambridge Executive MBA 2024 participant Athan Fox, who was inspired by Queen Diambi’s leadership in global sustainability and her advocacy for indigenous knowledge. “I wanted to invite a leader who embodies both global sustainability and cultural wisdom,” said Fox. “Her message challenges us to see the world from a different angle and her wisdom has changed the way I see the world.”

“Furthermore, Queen Diambi’s perspective on biodiversity, leadership and resilience complements the macroeconomic lens we explore in our circular economy, climate change and economics studies, taught by Professor Khaled Soufani and Associate Professor Kamiar Mohaddes”, Fox added.

Queen Diambi graciously accepted the invitation, surprising Fox with her openness and enthusiasm. Her visit was deeply aligned with themes central to Fox’s Individual Project, The Life Map, which explores biodiversity and natural capital as foundational elements of economic and societal resilience. The Individual Project, a master’s-level thesis that is a compulsory part of the Executive MBA programme, allows participants to explore a chosen business or management topic in depth under faculty supervision, often producing publishable insights for academic, professional or policy audiences.

Biodiversity is not just environmental – it’s economic, social and deeply human

Queen Diambi’s fireside chat was both energising and personal. She spoke candidly about her journey to leadership, her commitment to inclusive progress and the importance of partnerships in driving change. Her reflections on biodiversity, described by Fox as the backbone of nature’s goods and services, resonated deeply with participants. As biodiversity declines, so does nature’s capacity to provide essentials like food, clean air and raw materials, yet these losses are rarely accounted for in economic models.

Fox’s Life Map project, developed in collaboration with co-founder Edward Darling, CEO of The Life Map Foundation and supervised by Professor Khaled Soufani, aims to address this gap by helping decision-makers rebalance supply and demand in natural capital and value the natural world for its ability to sustain life. The project has also received support from Professor James Bacchus, former US Congressman and Chair of the WTO Appellate Body.

Iconic settings for meaningful dialogue

The event was hosted at Cambridge Judge Business School, with additional gatherings at Murray Edwards College for lunch and King’s College for dinner, both providing unforgettable settings for meaningful conversations. The visits to Murray Edwards and King’s College were kindly facilitated by Jay Longworth and Althea Carbon-Ogden, fellow Executive MBA 2024 participants, whose support helped make the occasion possible.

Queen Diambi’s visit was a highlight of the EMBA experience, leaving a lasting impression on students and staff alike. Her call to “trust nature”, “prioritise laughter” and “take a holistic view of society’s needs” offered a refreshing and profound perspective on leadership and sustainability.