Benjamin Gonzalez Millan

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

“I’m a Mexican passionate changemaker, driven by sustainability, better cities and a healthier future.’

Hometown: Leon, Guanajuato. Mexico

Fun Fact About Yourself:  I still believe I could make it to the Olympics in shooting or curling. I’ve never practiced either.

Undergraduate School and Major: Universidad de la Salle, Fashion and Footwear Design

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Co-Founder of Planeta B, Climate Change Activism Lab

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? I was drawn to Oxford Saïd’s MBA because of its strong focus on impact and sustainability—critical areas for my career goal of building smarter, more sustainable cities. I was looking for a program that was customizable and would enable me to improve my leadership abilities while simultaneously pursuing sustainable development and climate action. Few programs offered this combination, and Oxford stood out.

Ultimately, Oxford’s profound institutional dedication to sustainability and net zero, not only as an academic endeavor but as a catalyst for global transformation, was the deciding factor. Oxford Net Zero and the School of Geography and the Environment are examples of university-wide initiatives that are designed to cultivate environmental thought leaders. This supportive environment provides me with the perfect opportunity to grow and make a meaningful contribution.

What course, club, or activity has been your favorite part of the Oxford Saïd MBA experience? Participating in Finance Lab has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my MBA. It was an excellent opportunity to acquire industry insights, look into various sectors, and cultivate a more profound financial comprehension, given my non-finance background.

John Gilligan’s teaching style, real-world insights, and extensive network created a learning environment that was both engaging and enjoyable, which is what truly makes it remarkable. Finance Lab implanted in me the confidence to investigate sustainable and impact investing as a potential career path. At the very least, I now possess a solid understanding of the resources I will require when I resume my entrepreneurial endeavors and seek funding for future projects.

What is the most “Oxford” thing you have done so far as a full-time MBA student? One of my first weekends at Oxford will stay in my memory as one of the most enjoyable welcomes to the University and the Oxford experience. That night, I biked through the city, dressed in a tuxedo, on my way to a white-tie gala at the Oxford Union to watch a group of lords and sirs debate the role of the royal family in the UK culture & economy.

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? Since such exchanges can take many forms and usually catch me off guard, I still haven’t gotten used to them. I talked with a student who works on her master’s research on a poet who lived during Shakespeare’s time. He was a purist who wrote exclusively in Latin, which impeded his ability to achieve fame after his death. She is currently engaged in the process of recovering his writings by employing sophisticated technology to break down stuck-together pages as well as constantly searching for rare old books to reveal his lost art.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Two years ago, my colleagues and I filed a lawsuit against our local government for its imbalanced budget allocation toward sustainable transportation. We won the case, forcing the government to build a new bus transfer terminal, redesign key routes to better serve underserved areas, and expand its free transit program for the elderly.

A few months later, when the government cut down trees in the city center to expand a highway, we mobilized over 50,000 online signatures and 400 formal petitioners to file another lawsuit. This effort completely reshaped the city’s approach to reforestation and government communication on environmental issues.

A small group of people changed the course of our city, influencing the lives of thousands. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of collective action and strategic advocacy, and I am incredibly proud to have been part of it.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? Attending the World Economic Forum was a dream come true, as it provided an opportunity to interact with global leaders, push my ideas, and explore solutions to important global issues. It provided me with a clear understanding of how I wish to best utilize my time at Oxford, in addition to the significant networking opportunities and interesting discussions.

Davos also motivated me to capitalize on the platform offered by the University of Oxford, which enables me to establish connections with influential figures within the university ecosystem and organize events of international significance that spark substantial conversations. I returned to Saïd with a reenergized ambition and a clearer vision for my MBA and future career.

What has been the biggest epiphany you’ve gained about yourself or the world since you started your MBA program? I was listening to the founder of Citymapper speak as he walked us through how he identified the complexity of navigating the London bus system and realized he could fix it. He then created Citymapper, focusing on a public-transit-first mobility app. Despite big tech companies already having their own maps, he knew he could build a better product for people like him—those who relied on the metro, buses, and walking. I was deeply impressed by his drive and how down-to-earth he was.

I’ve always been an entrepreneur, but during my first few weeks of the MBA, I started considering a career in consulting or a traditional 9-to-5 job. My conversation with him reignited my excitement and reaffirmed that my true calling is being a founder and working toward making cities more sustainable.

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