Bloggers biogs
Andrew Bergbaum
Nationality: British
Course: MBA 2006-07
About me:
I am originally from London although I haven't lived there since I was 18. I have a degree in automotive engineering and spent 8 years at Honda before deciding to get an MBA.
At Honda I focused on Purchasing, Procurement and Project management and spent 3 years in Japan at the R&D HQ.
I have had a thoroughly enjoyable time at Oxford and have loved being a part of the 2007 MBA class. Activities that I remember fondly are: rowing for my college, representing Oxford at the Moot Corp competition in Texas, rowing and playing rugby at the MBAT and chairing the consultancy Oxford Business Network (OBN).
This summer I will be consulting at DTC (a De Beers company) as part of my summer consulting project (SCP). Following that I will return to Oxford for the Capstone course before taking a few months off to spend time with wife and (soon to be) son.
In December I will join McKinsey & Company in the London office.
Number of posts: 1
SCP at Bank of London
Number of posts: 3
Benedek Frank
Course: MBA
Number of posts: 2
Number of posts: 3
Caroline Young
Nationality: American / Canadian
Course: MBA
About me:
I’m originally from Phoenix, Arizona. After finishing my undergraduate degree from Brown University (in English Literature), I moved to Toronto, Canada and worked for Ernst & Young’s in-house immigration law firm. After deciding that I wanted to do something more related to social change, I moved back to Phoenix and began working for the Lodestar Foundation, which specializes in funding nonprofit collaboration and merger. In that position, I saw the value that some business principles have for the social sector and decided to get my MBA. I was drawn to Oxford’s program because of its focus on social entrepreneurship and intellectual development. I am particularly interested in how finance strategies can be used to get money to social sector organizations doing the most effective long-term work. I am fascinated by the history of Oxford and have particularly loved getting to know amazing people in the MBA and in other disciplines through my college, Green Templeton. I’m excited to see where this year will take me!
Number of posts: 2
Daniel Seiderer
Nationality: German
Course: MBA 2007-08
About me:
I studied mathematics and physics in Germany and the USA. I then worked briefly for a small German management consultancy. Before coming to Oxford, I spent several years in the not-for-profit sectors. One of my positions was regional Chairman for a major German political party. I am interested in art and literature, enjoy an occasional glass of wine or whisky, my favourite sports are sailing and running, oh, and I do like to travel. I looked at different business schools in the UK and was very glad that Oxford admitted me. When I came here for an open day I was extremely impressed by the school itself as well as by the beautiful city with the University and all its Colleges.
Number of posts: 5
Esther Tang
Nationality: American
Course: MBA 2006-07
About me:
I originally hail from Los Angeles, CA and did my undergraduate at Cornell where I was senior class president. Post graduation I worked in private equity in LA and then local government in Dallas. After an exciting but tough year so far in Oxford, I am now spending the summer working on a strategic consulting project for a $60 billion hedge fund in London. Post MBA I hope to head off to either Dubai or Taipei!
Number of posts: 6
Gambia is Good
Number of posts: 2
Course: MBA 2008-09
Number of posts: 3
Hiroki Shimada
About me:
I'm from Tokyo, Japan. I hold a Bachelorfs degree in International Relations in International Christian University, Tokyo, which is a small university but famous for sending a third of Japanese employees at the United Nations.
During my senior year at university, I interned at the investment banking division of JPMorgan Securities. There, I found that technology dominated their performance. When an information system failed, we had nothing to do but go out for coffee and complain. I joined Nomura Research Institute because I wanted an opportunity to learn both technology and finance from a 3rd party view.
Nomura Research Institute is a leading Japanese consulting and technology firm, spun out of the Japanese biggest investment bank, Nomura. I was consulting IT strategies and selling IT solutions to global investment banks' Tokyo offices. In addition, since early 2008, I have been in long-term, face-to-face, CEO-level negotiations with a leading financial software provider in New York, whose banking compliance solution could help us expand our business by 10-20%.
Currently, our main business is rooted solely in Japan. But because of the shrinking domestic market, NRI will have to explore business opportunities overseas. My post-MBA career objective is to continue our international expansion as a Senior Manager in our Asian Business Development Division. Doing so will augment our revenue and diversify our client base. Furthermore, NRIfs technology solutions can boost the productivity of the financial industry throughout developing Asian markets, make them more attractive to international investors, and create jobs for local IT engineers. My ultimate vision is to contribute to these countriesf economies, and harness the creativity that I experienced in projects that come from engaging with an internationally diverse, talented and motivated team. I would love to be the guiding force that helps NRI transcend cultural boundaries to become one of the first truly international Japanese technology firms.
I expect Oxford MBA to help me achieve this dream by developing my leadership skills in international organizations, broadening my business knowledge through learning practical cases, and connecting me to a global web of excellent people.
Number of posts: 2
Indranil Data
About me:
“I have an undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Statistics followed by a postgraduate degree in Computer Science. Before joining the MBA I have worked in the IT industry for nearly 7 years in several European Banks and a leading software producing MNC. I also have a strong interest in non-profit organisations and I have founded and run 2 non-profits of very diverse nature in last 5 years. One of the main reasons that brought me to SBS is a strong desire to blend my expertise in technology and non-profit management to create something unique. I hope to figure out that ‘something’ in next 1 year.
When I am not being forced to work or not trying to feign seriousness that is becoming of an MBA student, I prefer to have conversations on random topics with my classmates, click away photographs of old buildings and alleys of Oxford, attend leadership talks especially in world politics, listen to and collect classical music from all over the world, rehearse choral singing at St. Hughes College, planning my next trip to an esoteric land or conjuring up culinary samples from different geographies in my kitchen.”
Number of posts: 1
Jitin Dhanani
Nationality: Indian
Course: MBA 2007-08
About me:
I studied electrical engineering in India for undergraduate then completed a masters at University of Southern California. Before coming to Oxford I worked as a software engineer for Spirent Communications and then Advent Software, working my way up to Senior Software Engineer.
I’m on the MBA program to round out my skill set and hopefully push my career in a more entrepreneurial direction. A year in Oxford should give me the skills and contacts I need. Here’s to the ride!
Number of posts: 16
Jon Blue
About me:
Jon has an electrical engineering degree and has spent the past eight years in semiconductor sales. After his Oxford MBA he plans to either start his own company or work in sales management / sales strategy for a start-up. This trek will give him the opportunity to engage with influential angel investors, serial entrepreneurs, and various early stage companies.
"I grew up in Iowa but have lived in the great state of Texas (specifically Houston and Austin) since college. I studied electrical engineering as an undergraduate and started my career designing electronics. From there I transitioned to sales, and I spent the past five years selling semiconductors to Dell and HP. My goals at business school are twofold: round out my business knowledge (finance, operations, etc.) and expand my professional network. After graduation I plan to either start my own company or work in sales management or sales strategy for a start-up. This trek will give me the opportunity to engage with influential angel investors, serial entrepreneurs, and various early-stage companies"
Number of posts: 4
Justin Belkin
Nationality: American
Course: MBA 2009/10
About me:
I am a “social intrapreneur” – someone who applies entrepreneurial thinking within a large company to work for social change. As a native New Yorker, I graduated from SUNY Stony Brook. I worked during college, helping to grow my family business into New York’s largest private coffee roaster/retailer. I knew I wanted to return to Oxford after studying-abroad there in 2000. After graduation I embarked on a new career at Morgan Stanley as a financial advisor. During the intervening years I opened a coffee shop. Later, at Citigroup Smith Barney, I became a FINRA Registered Principal (Series 7, 24). While there I taught financial literacy through Operation Hope. I also serve on the Board for the Microfinance Club of New York. After Oxford, I see myself continuing to work in finance or consulting while working for social change. Enjoy reading my blog!
Number of posts: 2
Lindsay Miller
Nationality: American
Course: MBA 2007-08
About me:
I have worked in aid, development, and eco-tourism in Mexico, Nepal, and Chile and have most recently worked with a community-based children’s mental healthcare reform initiative in rural Oregon to develop coordinated service networks for children and families. I have undergraduate degrees in general science and studio arts, and have never taken a business class in my life until starting at SBS!
As a Skoll Scholar, I am excited to learn as much as I can about social entrepreneurship and to contribute to its promotion at Saïd and beyond. Specifically, I am interested in using social entrepreneurial concepts to develop sustainable and innovative service models to address issues related to poverty, education, and healthcare.
http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/skoll
Number of posts: 10
David Harris
About me:
I first came across Malaria No More (MNM) when competing as part of a Saïd Business School team at the SDSU Sports Case Consulting Competition in San Diego. The case for the competition involved promoting MNM through sport in the lead up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals. While there we met the CEO of MNM and many high profile people from the sports world including staff working in the National Football League, Major League Baseball and the Major League Soccer. From that trip one of our team members organized a Summer Consulting project working with the NFL International Expansion, while Graham and I lined a project up with MNM UK.
Number of posts: 1
Number of posts: 2
Meltwater SCP
Number of posts: 5
Rania Traiforos
Nationality: Greek-American
Course: MBA Class 08-09
About me:
A dual citizen of Greece and the US, I was raised in the suburbs of Washington, DC.
I graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a double major B.S. in Supply Chain Management and Marketing. Upon graduation I moved to Philadelphia to work for Sunoco, one of the largest Oil refining companies, working in logistics as a scheduling manager for retail fuel. I was recruited to work for a small consultancy with an impressive client portfolio, specializing in strategic sourcing consulting and BPO. I gained exposure to multiple industries, business structures, and business goals, working in a highly varied team environment. I was present for a large part of the growth of this company, ICG Commerce, and through this process grew personally and professionally. I had the opportunity to travel to China to assist in the development and training of the team there.
I chose Oxford for many reasons, including but not limited to the international nature of the program, the Oxford brand, the beautiful city and the one-year duration. I am excited to be in Oxford and look forward to an exciting and successful year.
Number of posts: 5
Raquel Lison
Rebecca Regan-Sachs
Nationality: American
Course: MBA 08-09
About me:
I'm a native of Washington, D.C. and graduated from Georgetown's School of Foreign Service in 2005. After that, I worked in public relations and social marketing, helping design behavior change communications programs for various social issues. I then worked in Uganda on a project to help young village women start their own tailoring business. My ultimate goal is to work in the international development field, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of aid programs for impoverished communities. I believe that many core business practices—market research, budgeting, and “customer-focused” solutions, to name a few—would be quite useful in this arena. Oxford University's Saïd Business School appealed to me because of its focus on social entrepreneurship and how organizations’ corporate and social responsibilities can complement, not compete with, each other. The work here has been challenging, but never boring, and I’m so glad I came. Although sometimes I do miss the weather in Uganda…
Number of posts: 8
Richard Lockton
Nationality: American
Course: MBA 2009/10
About me:
I guess you could say I’m an accountant or consultant by profession, but my most important job title these days is “Daddy.” I’m not ashamed to admit that my wife and I lost countless nights of sleep deciding whether this was the right time to travel across the globe to return to school. Leaving two secure careers in this economy might not have been the most logical decision with a six-month infant, but after only a few weeks in Oxford, I am confident we made the right decision.
I moved throughout the US quite a bit during my childhood, but spent most of my adult life in Kansas City. After studying Business and Accounting at the University of Kansas, I joined General Electric in their Information Management Leadership Program. Shortly after joining GE, my company was sold through an IPO and I decided to utilize my accounting background by joining KPMG’s Information Risk Management practice. Although I really enjoyed my colleagues and the projects I was working on, I realized that I had lost the passion that I craved in my career. After soul searching for months, I decided an MBA would provide the best opportunity for me to switch careers into a profession that really challenged and excited me both personally and professionally.
Number of posts: 3
Elena Andonova
Course: MBA
About me:
A team of three MBA students, we flew all the way from Oxford to Napa Valley, California to help a vision grow, one that began with a simple toast for “Mines to Vines” back in 1997. This vision of the Kuhn family that led to the creation of Roots of Peace is simple: to turn “seeds of terror” into “seeds of hope” by replacing millions of landmines around the globe into vines and ultimately bring peace and prosperity to those who deserve it- all human beings. Heidi Kuhn, Founder & CEO Roots of Peace and recipient of the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship in 2006, is pleased to offer this Strategic Consulting Project to our Oxford MBA program. This inspiring initiative prompted us to take off for a six weeks journey that would spread the roots of peace across the world. So the journey begins.
Number of posts: 1
Ryan Macaskill
Nationality: British
Course: MBA 08-09
About me:
I am one of the relatively few Brits on the course. As an undergraduate I studied economics and I then spent 4 years working for a large accounting firm as an auditor, qualifying as a chartered accountant. After a 6 month trip to South-East Asia and New Zealand, I came back to the UK and worked for a couple of years for a large Healthcare and Biotech company in their head office reporting team. Most recently I worked in Australia for 4 years. Initially I joined the commercial financing business of a US multinational, and ran teams in treasury, accounting and tax areas. Prior to coming back to the UK, I then spent 18 months with a young non-bank mortgage lender.
I’m keen on all sorts of sports, from hiking, golf, fencing and now rowing and I also love travelling. When I was looking at where to do an MBA, I chose Oxford partly because I knew what a great place it was to live, and partly so I could combine a great course and a great cohort with the wider experience that really only a place like Oxford University can give.
Number of posts: 7
Satoko Ueyama
Nationality: Japanese
Course: MBA 2007-08
About me:
I majored in economics in my undergraduate study at the University of Tokyo. After graduation, I joined the Bank of Japan (Japanese central bank) hoping to grasp what’s actually going on in the economy of my home country. There I have been engaged in economic assessment, and I am especially grateful to the opportunities I got in my job to meet and learn from a lot of people – including inspiring executives – of Japanese companies. Partly because I was so intrigued by the way these companies operate, I am now doing an MBA at the University of Oxford. I am a British Chevening Scholar this year, and will return to the Bank of Japan upon completing my studies.
Number of posts: 9
Scott Edwards
Nationality: British
Course: MBA Marketing and Admissions
Sumeet Bakshi
Nationality: Indian
Course: MBA 08-09
About me:
I am qualified physician with 8 years of experience in the Indian Pharmaceutical industry across functions such as Sales, Marketing and Strategy & Business Development. I have worked with companies like J&J, Sun Pharmaceuticals and my last role was with Pfizer in India as Senior Manager – Strategy and Business Development.
I have a marketing degree from University of Mumbai and am currently pursuing an MBA from the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
Being an avid trekker, I have completed a Himalayan Trekking Expedition apart from undertaking regular treks in the Sahyadri range in Western India. I am also currently trying to diversify my sporting interests from playing and following cricket by learning squash at Green Templeton College.
I am married to Vidya (currently a housewife) and we have a two and half month old son, Vivan.
Number of posts: 1
Sunita Rajkanwar
Nationality: Pakistani
Course: MBA 2009/10
About me:
I am originally from Pakistan. Last year I got married to an awesome guy and settled in London. Prior to coming to UK, I did a Bachelors in Computer Science and a part-time MBA from Karachi. I also worked for Maersk Line’s Commercial and Operation department for two years. About my interests, I enjoy writing and love cooking. These past one and half year have been a proverbial roller coaster ride, where I have been an admirer of this great country, its values and culture. Coming from a part of the world, where 40 degree centigrade is a norm, I find weather difficult to adjust to.
This MBA has been a fantastic experience for me in many ways. I get a thrill from discussing new ideas in class each day. I enjoy learning from people’s experiences and via case studies. Every time I meet a new student, I am surprised at how diverse our backgrounds are. One can literally spend years learning from each other. I have no way of knowing how this year will end, and guess what? I do not want to find out either, at least not yet :)
Number of posts: 3
Vinay Nagaraju
Nationality: Indian
Course: MBA 2008-2009
About me:
I come from the city of Bengaluru (a.k.a Bangalore). I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Bangalore University. Soon after
graduation I started working with Honeywell India and had been with the organization for a little over 6 years. At Honeywell’s Aerospace Business, I have
worked in various capacities and in a breadth of organizational initiatives. In my most recent role, I was a Program lead employing my Technical, Management
and Leadership skills.
On the personal front, I always nurtured a desire to make a difference to larger communities. In 2001, I co-founded an NGO called ‘Spandana’ aimed at
empowering underprivileged children in their education. These engagements convinced me of the urgency of a marriage between corporate profitability and
sustainable social development.
The cusp of these two worlds with distinct agendas is the beginning of a new career opportunity for me. An MBA education will be my partner and provide me
an edge to make this transition to a career of my calling. In a closely knit global world, the impact corporations have in marketplace, on societies and
environment is huge. In such a reality, I want to be a catalyst, influencing decisions that impact larger communities. Oxford’s MBA will complete the ensemble of
my skills, my aspirations and requirements for my chosen path.
Number of posts: 19
Yousook Hong
About me:
I am from South Korea, where I studied Business as my undergraduate degree. After graduation I worked in a commercial bank where I gained experience in different areas such as branch administration, accounting, foreign currency borrowing and private banking strategy and fund product development.
Given the vigorous changes Korean capital markets where experiencing, I became a qualified Chartered Financial Analyst. Although I gained excellent knowledge in the finance filed, I felt I needed to get a more practical, down-to-earth approach to the world of finance and business in general. This lead to Oxford Saïd Business School. The best part of the Oxford MBA is that you can enjoy the unique culture of the wider University, which I believe, you can hardly enjoy at any other place. And of course, I truly enjoy afternoon tea and English breakfast.
Number of posts: 3
