Elizabeth Banks—actress, director, and producer—embodies the Growth Mindset. A self-described “scholarship kid” at the University of Pennsylvania, she returned in 2025 to deliver one of the most powerful commencement addresses I’ve ever heard.
Her message? Life is not a zero-sum game. When opportunities seem scarce, don’t fight for a bigger piece—bake a bigger pie. Create your own opportunities. And then invite others in.
Banks didn’t just act—she wrote, produced, directed, and built her own seat at the table. That’s Growth Mindset in action: taking risks, learning through doing, and lifting others as you grow.
She also spoke candidly about failure. Skipping class for a close friend’s wedding cost her half a grade. But she owned the decision, learned from it, and used that moment to grow. That’s what a Growth Mindset looks like—choosing progress over perfection.
🎓 Watch her 2025 Penn Commencement Address here:
👉 Watch on YouTube