Capucine Le Meur

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

“Water security advocate, baking enthusiast, committed to walking everywhere rain or shine.”

Hometown: New York, NY, USA

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love geography trivia and can name and place all the countries in the world.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Pennsylvania, BA in Environmental Studies & Political Science (2014-2018); University of Oxford, MSc in Water Science, Policy & Management (2023-2024)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Veolia Middle East – Project Engineer

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 chose the Saïd MBA for its deep focus on impact and its 1+1 MBA programme, which allowed me to combine the MBA with an MSc in Water Science, Policy, and Management. My career goal is to leverage private capital to bridge the climate adaptation finance gap, particularly by directing investment toward water security initiatives that build resilience against floods, droughts, and other climate crises. The MBA has been instrumental in equipping me with the financial and strategic skills necessary for this transition, both in class and through extracurriculars. From co-chairing the Climate Oxford Business Network (OBN) and participating in the Impact Lab to securing second place in the Oxford MIINT impact investing competition, the impact programming at Saïd has provided exactly the platform I needed to grow as a leader in this space.

What course, club, or activity has been your favorite part of the Oxford Saïd MBA experience? Leading the Climate OBN alongside my four incredible co-chairs has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my MBA experience. From the very start, they inspired me with their dedication, expertise, and shared commitment to driving climate action. Beyond organizing events and panels that bring our cohort and the broader Oxford community together, we’ve been lucky to build a strong bond as friends.

What is the most “Oxford” thing you have done so far as a full-time MBA student? Oxford’s architecture is stunning, so I’d be remiss not to mention studying in the Radcliffe Camera or attending formal dinners at friends’ historic colleges. But the most ‘Oxford’ thing I’ve done has to be punting on the River Cherwell on Matriculation Day, trying not to capsize while still dressed in full sub fusc.

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? The great thing about Oxford is that you’re surrounded by people who are intellectually curious and passionate about different fields. I really enjoyed listening in on my college’s lightning research talks, where DPhils gave five-minute presentations on their research, such as the use of drones for vaccine delivery in Africa or the impacts of a specific medication on learning and memory. It’s amazing to be exposed to such varied research all in one place!

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest career accomplishment has been succeeding as a Project Engineer on a major wastewater treatment operation and maintenance contract in Qatar, despite it being a departure from my academic background and prior experience. I stepped into this role that required adapting to a complex, high-stakes environment, managing technical projects, and building strong client relationships – all of which strengthened my ability to navigate challenges in unfamiliar contexts.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? I’m proud to have overcome my lack of finance background and excelled in the Business Finance course. The material wasn’t always intuitive, but I committed to participating and engaging deeply with the lectures and attending support sessions to ensure I grasped even the most challenging concepts.

What has been the biggest epiphany you’ve gained about yourself or the world since you started your MBA program? Throughout my career and studies, I have remained keenly aware of the complexity of the water security challenge and the risk of unintended consequences in this field, due to incomplete information or unexpected feedback loops. I struggled with how to position myself to best drive and facilitate change. My breakthrough came during an Impact Lab session led by Cynthia Rayner and Phumlani Nkontwana on using systems thinking to catalyze social change. They emphasized that it is more important for leaders to facilitate exchanges and elevate knowledgeable voices when tackling systemic challenges than to make top-down decisions. I learned that climate leadership is not about having all the answers, but about serving as a connector to empower stakeholders and foster coalitions.

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