Finding meaning through story

W&M Life

The following story originally appeared on the website for William & Mary's Raymond A. Mason School of Business. - Ed.

When the world shut down in 2020, Gabe Kuenzli - now an MBA student at William & Mary - found himself facing an uncertain future that many college students shared. A senior at Dartmouth, he had nearly completed his undergraduate studies but still didn't know what came next.

"I had almost finished my undergraduate program, and I still didn't really know what I wanted to do," he recalled. "That's a scary place to be when the 'real world' is about to come knocking. And to make matters worse, COVID came and made all of my internship and growth opportunities disappear."

But sometimes, uncertainty has its own way of revealing the path forward. While studying remotely, Kuenzli was hired to make a few short videos for an organization. It was just a small side gig, or so he thought. A few weeks later, they reached back out with an unexpected offer: "How much to hire you for a year?"

"Just like that, I realized what I liked to do with my life," he said.

That moment became the beginning of a new journey. It blended Kuenzli's creative instincts with a growing sense of purpose. What started as a temporary project during a pandemic turned into a full-fledged video production business, born out of equal parts passion and necessity.

"I went full-time with my business a little prematurely," he admitted with a laugh. "I lost my full-time job, and suddenly my side hustle became my main and only source of income. So it was all hands on deck to make this business work."

Those early months tested his resilience. "While in those moments I didn't feel that way, I learned that I'm much more resilient than I ever thought I would be," Kuenzli said. "Life will keep hitting me, but if I can roll with the punches, I'll see more success than I could have ever imagined. And, maybe more importantly, I know I'm not alone. I have friends and family who support and love me. With our powers combined, I know something good will happen."

A storyteller at heart

Before cameras and editing software, Kuenzli was a writer. "I've always been a storyteller," he said. "I started off writing, and I've always loved movies, so when it clicked, it just clicked."

That calling came sharply into focus after the devastating wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii. Watching the tragedy unfold from afar, he felt compelled to act. "When I saw the news, I wanted to help. I wanted to make sure Lahaina was done justice by those telling its story," he said. And that is how "Aloha Lahaina Aloha" was born.

Kuenzli on set filming. (Courtesy photo)

Kuenzli soon found himself in Hawaii, camera in hand, working tirelessly to document not only the loss but also the strength and humanity of the community. "The way our world works right now, you might get three days of news coverage on something like this, all focused on the tragedy. Then the world moves on," he said. "I knew there was more to Lahaina and the people there than this one dark moment, and I wanted to show it."

The experience inveterated his belief in the power of storytelling and was the perfect opportunity to convey the resilience of ordinary people. "Community leads to resilience, resilience preserves humanity, and humanity drives community," he reflected. "When the chips are down and the call to action needs answering, it's the everyday people who answer it."

For Kuenzli, the project became more than a creative endeavor; it was a mission of empathy. "All net profits from the sale of the documentary are being donated to charities chosen by the participants in the film," he said. "I didn't want to profit from someone else's tragedy, especially as an outsider. Building trust and being genuine in my approach was the only way to make sure the project was done right."

Kuenzli's documentary, "Aloha Lahaina Aloha," has been making waves for its heartfelt storytelling and powerful perspective. The film, which explores the spirit of resilience and community in Lahaina, has garnered growing attention and is now being featured at the Alexandria Film Festival as part of the Emerging Filmmakers Showcase. Audiences can were able to catch this inspiring work on Nov. 7, where it was screened as a featured film celebrating new voices in documentary filmmaking.

Trailer for 'Aloha Lahaina Aloha'

Balancing creativity and professionalism

Kuenzli's reflections on his craft carry a rare blend of humility and conviction. "One of the biggest mistakes in the professional world is the imbalance between creativity and professionalism," he said. "Especially in creative industries, one often suffers so the other can flourish. But that makes no sense. Professional problems require creative solutions, and creative ideas need ambition and structure. They're inseparable."

That mindset, along with his curiosity and drive to grow, eventually led him back to the classroom. This time at William & Mary's Raymond A. Mason School of Business.

"I wasn't entirely sold on higher education at first," he admitted. "It seemed like a time and monetary investment that I wasn't sure I wanted to make. But William & Mary's incredible networking and mentoring ecosystem really stood out."

The school's emphasis on community and connection resonated deeply with him. "Having an entire center dedicated to helping students prepare for their careers and connect with experienced mentors alongside people who have 'been where you are' made all the difference," Kuenzli said. "It made the MBA feel like a true launchpad rather than just another credential."

Finding purpose in growth

Now, several weeks into his MBA journey as a first-year full-time student, Kuenzli already feels the underpinnings of his transformation. "These responses might make it seem like I have everything figured out, but I most certainly don't," he said. "I'm still growing, and W&M is a huge part of that. In just nine weeks, I've been given more tools, networks, experience, feedback, and information than I could have ever imagined."

He's particularly grateful for experiences that push him to grow alongside his peers. "One of my favorite moments so far was our 'Fast Friends' exercise in the Communicating for Results class," he said. "We sat together answering questions that started easy but quickly became deeper and more personal. It was uncomfortable at times, but by the end, we had really come to understand each other. Those moments of openness and connection are what make this program so special."

At the National Black MBA Career Fair in Houston, he was able to put those lessons into practice. "We learned how to have meaningful conversations in a short amount of time and leave an impression," he said. "Even this early, it's exciting to see how what we learn in class applies directly to real-world experiences."

Looking ahead

As he reflects on his journey, from navigating pandemic uncertainty to running his own production company and embarking on a new chapter at William & Mary, Kuenzli remains grounded in his purpose: to create, to lead, and to help others.

"I see two roads ahead of me," he said. "One where I pursue a professional career with an established company, and one where I return to my business. Either is possible, but whichever I choose, I hope my work continues to have a positive impact on others."

He defines success simply: "Being better than I was the year before, and that entails professionally, personally, or socially. As long as I'm moving forward, I'm succeeding."

That philosophy echoes the two guiding principles that shape his outlook. "I believe we're all siblings on this little blue spot in the universe," he said. "Our differences and distances shouldn't matter. I try to live my life with as much kindness and generosity as I can."

He's also drawn to stoicism, not as a detached philosophy, but as a practice of grounded acceptance. "Do the best you can and accept the things you can't change," he said. "Sometimes you just have to take it on the chin, but if you live your life with virtue and values, that's success in its own way." Kuenzli's rooted beliefs align seamlessly with the Mason School's values of Principled Leadership and integrity.

The heart of a wanderer

Looking back, Kuenzli describes himself with a smile as both a "Lucky Son of a Gun" and a "Wanderer." "Many people have told me that I'm incredibly lucky, and I do believe it," he said. "But I was also an Army brat. I still feel like I wander my way through life sometimes. Whether there's a strict direction or not, I'm always moving."

That forward momentum, guided by kindness, resilience, and curiosity, continues to shape his journey. "Life happens at different paces for different people," he said. "Don't compare yourself to others. Just take one step forward at a time, and by the time you're done, you'll look back and see the path you didn't even know was there."

As he continues to find his voice and purpose through his studies and storytelling, Kuenzli remains grateful for where he's landed. "I can't begin to say how excited I am to see the kind of person I'll become with W&M's help," he said. "One Tribe all the way."

Erin Jay, Senior Associate Director of University News

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