Samantha Withey

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

“Passionate social entrepreneur merging grassroots impact with business acumen to drive sustainable change.”

Hometown: Mount Prospect, Illinois

Fun Fact About Yourself: I built a nonprofit from a transformative summer volunteering in remote East African communities.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of North Texas, Business & Merchandising

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:

Hands of Hope African Outreach – Founder & Director

United Nations Refugee Agency – Executive Support Associate

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Oxford Saïd’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Oxford Saïd’s strong focus on social impact and development finance made it the perfect fit for me. As an NGO founder with a background in the impact space, I initially doubted how well I would integrate into an MBA cohort. However, I almost immediately found myself surrounded by a diverse group of like-minded individuals committed to using business as a force for good. Programs like the Oxford Impact Lab, the Impact Investing Bootcamp, and the impact-focused electives stood out as exceptional opportunities to combine my nonprofit background with the practical skills needed to drive change. I knew that Oxford would equip me with the tools to further develop my nonprofit, Hands of Hope Africa, but also to deepen my ability to create meaningful, lasting change in the world.

What course, club, or activity has been your favorite part of the Oxford Saïd MBA experience? Competing and winning first place in the MIINT Turner Impact Investing Challenge has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my MBA so far. It has provided hands-on exposure to sourcing and evaluating impact-driven ventures while refining an investment thesis for social enterprises in East Africa. It has been a perfect intersection of my past work in development and my future aspirations in impact finance.

What is the most “Oxford” thing you have done so far as a full-time MBA student? One of the most “Oxford” moments for me was attending my first formal hall dinner. It is a special moment getting to walk into these centuries-old dining halls in our robes, listening to Latin prayers, and eating by candlelight. It is here where we get to experience the unique blend of rigorous academics and time-honored traditions that define Oxford. You never know the kind of conversations you will engage in while seated in these halls. This experience not only deepened my appreciation for Oxford’s deep history, but also reinforces how these traditions inspire us to think critically and act boldly in today’s complex world.

Oxford is known as a place where world collides, be it in the classroom or the dining hall. What has been the most interesting interaction you’ve had so far as an Oxford MBA student? One of the most memorable interactions was a spirited debate on whether impact investing is inherently extractive. Several classmates and I were walking home after one of Oxford’s classic debates, still buzzing from the conversation as we strolled along the historic streets at night. We continued discussing the best ways to provide aid and create meaningful change in the world. The energy and genuine emotion in that moment made me feel truly part of Oxford life—where deep, challenging ideas are debated with passion and an earnest desire to discover truth. It was a reminder of how our community not only values rigorous debate, but also embraces the heart behind our work.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Building my NGO from the ground up and successfully launching multiple programs that have provided clean water, education access, and women’s vocational training in underserved East African communities has been my biggest accomplishment. Seeing women start their own businesses and children attend school for the first time has been the most fulfilling experience of my life and has encouraged my passion for continuing this work post-MBA.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? The biggest accomplishment so far in my MBA journey is in my active involvement in the program, especially in the impact space. I’ve taken full advantage of Oxford’s opportunities, co-chairing both the Social Impact Oxford Business Network and the Government Relations Club. These roles have allowed me to help create meaningful spaces for our cohort to connect with experts and share experiences. I’ve also participated in the Oxford Impact Lab, competed in the MIINT Turner Impact Investing Challenge, joined several other clubs at the school, and further developed my skills through additional language classes. It is tough to only have one year to get all you can out of this MBA, but I feel that I have fully immersed myself in everything I possibly could that I know will have given me the skills and experiences I am looking for to help me in my journey.

What has been the biggest epiphany you’ve gained about yourself or the world since you started your MBA program? The MBA has really reshaped my understanding of leadership and impact. When I came to Oxford, my unconventional, non-financial background made me question how enriching my MBA experience could be compared to those of my peers from more traditional fields. But I’ve been continuously amazed by the depth of Oxford’s commitment to social impact and by the community of like-minded people from diverse backgrounds who aspire to create lasting change. This unique blend of practical business skills with a deep-rooted commitment to good business has been transformative for me, reinforcing my belief in business as a force for positive societal change. I’ve realized that there are many ways to approach making a difference. The diverse classes, clubs, and rich discussions I’ve had with peers have broadened my understanding and sparked new paths for contributing to the causes and regions in the world that I care about. This journey has instilled in me a renewed commitment to being a changemaker in our rapidly evolving world.

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