Nickolai Prakofeyu

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

“I set goals beyond current reach, guided by principle—building airplane while already in flight.”

Hometown: At the moment, it would be none, as have forced displacement (refugee) background, and still have no place I could call home.

Fun Fact About Yourself: With 12+ years of driving experience and national-level car racing, I am still bad with parking

Undergraduate School and Major: Grenoble Ecole de Management, International Business Management

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Operations Senior Manager, York House Foods ltd.

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? As a refugee, I’ve witnessed firsthand how poorly many transnational companies adhere to ESG principles and misinterpret and misuse ‘impact.’ This fueled my passion for meaningful change. Saïd Business School’s commitment to placing impact at the core of its program was pivotal in my decision. Additionally, the school’s significant support for individuals like me—who might lack financial means but are driven to build a better future—demonstrates that impact here is not just a concept but a guiding principle in action.

What course, club, or activity has been your favorite part of the Oxford Saïd MBA experience? It’s hard to choose just one! I absolutely love the clubs and Oxford Business Networks (OBNs). Run entirely by my batchmates and for my batchmates, these events are always high-energy, insightful, and a fantastic way to stay connected—especially in a cohort of 350, where it’s easy to lose touch. There’s a shared passion to create events that are not just valuable but truly memorable. The sense of community and collective ambition is astonishing, and that’s what makes these experiences priceless.

What is the most “Oxford” thing you have done so far as a full-time MBA student?  The most Oxonian thing I’ve done so far? Co-organizing a themed quiz night on historic revolutions, wars, and anti-government movements—hosted in Worcester College’s Middle Common Room (MCR). I can’t think of a more quintessential Oxford experience than gathering with batchmates in a historic college, exchanging knowledge, diving into spirited debates, and having a fantastic time. It was the perfect blend of intellectual curiosity, tradition, and reconnecting with friends amid our busy schedules.

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? If I had to choose, I’d put all my college events on this pedestal. These gatherings constantly broaden my connections in unexpected directions and create opportunities for enriching knowledge exchange. One moment I’m speaking with a DPhil student researching trauma in psychology, the next, I’m meeting someone in their early 20s already completing a doctorate in robotics.

But one interaction stood out the most—a college-organized rowing taster session. Afterward, I met a researcher in molecular biology, and as we went for a pint, he casually explained—using highly technical terms—that his work focuses on uncovering the causes of Alzheimer’s and finding potential cures. To say I was surprised would be an understatement. That was the moment I realized just how much I could learn through seemingly random conversations at Oxford.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I’ll cheat a little with this question and share an accomplishment that wasn’t strictly professional—but shaped my perspective as a leader. A few years ago, I co-organized a charity bike marathon in partnership with a non-profit our company supported. The goal was to raise funds and awareness for young people with disabilities—an issue often overlooked in Belarus, where social integration remained a challenge.

The event was complex, demanding sleepless nights and relentless effort. But on the day of the marathon, one moment made it all worth it. At the finish line, we had entertainment zones, one of which was filled with young people with disabilities. Seeing them dancing, socializing, and smiling was deeply moving. In that instant, I realized the true power of business—not just as an economic force, but as a tool for meaningful impact.

Years later, despite all my business achievements, the joy on their faces remains my proudest accomplishment.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? My biggest accomplishment as an MBA student has been transforming my social skills. Naturally reserved, I’ve always found large social settings challenging, but Oxford pushed me beyond my comfort zone. With a cohort of 350 diverse and brilliant individuals, I had to learn not just to engage, but to do so meaningfully—whether through team projects, networking events, or late-night debates in college common rooms.

By the end of the first term, I realized I wasn’t just adapting—I was thriving. Conversations that once felt like effort became natural, and networking turned into genuine relationship-building. This shift has been invaluable, proving that leadership isn’t just about strategy and execution, but also about connection. This personal transformation will shape both my career and life beyond Oxford, making my MBA journey already incredibly worthwhile.

What has been the biggest epiphany you’ve gained about yourself or the world since you started your MBA program? This year has given me the unique opportunity to experiment and step outside my ‘normal’ self—a rare gift mid-career. My biggest epiphany? Leadership can take many different shapes and forms, and not always about being at the front line. It’s about empowering others, providing structure, and helping your team achieve their best. Sometimes, leading means stepping back to let others shine while still guiding the way. It might seem obvious to some, controversial to others, but for me, this realization has been transformative and will profoundly shape how I lead in the future.

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.