Triet Nguyen

Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

“Avid traveler, curious thinker, and proud dad to the most adorable daughter.”

Hometown: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – where I was born and raised – and Melbourne, Australia, where I spent the last 15 years before moving to Oxford for my MBA. Both places have shaped who I am in different ways, and I am proud to call them home.

Fun Fact About Yourself: Even though I love outdoor activities, I have never broken a bone in my life – and I plan to keep it that way!

Undergraduate School and Major: I graduated from La Trobe University (Australia) with a double-degree Bachelor of Finance & Bachelor of Accounting.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Manager, Deal Advisory at BDO Australia

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 emphasis on global impact and its integration of business with social responsibility resonated deeply with my goals. The school’s focus on fostering leadership that drives both economic and societal change aligns with my career aspirations to shape and influence organisations’ strategy and future directions, whilst championing gender equality, social mobility and inclusion.

What course, club, or activity has been your favorite part of the Oxford Saïd MBA experience? I have to choose two for this one! As Co-Chair of the Finance Oxford Business Network (OBN) and Co-Head of Allyship for the Oxford Women in Leadership Alliance (OWLA), both associations hold a special place in my Oxford journey. The Finance OBN position allows me to represent and support my fellow MBAs in my professional field. Meanwhile, my role in OWLA gives me the opportunity to collaborate with an inspiring group of talented women and allies to advance gender equality – the case I am most deeply passionate about.

What is the most “Oxford” thing you have done so far as a full-time MBA student? Matriculation, without a doubt. The once-in-a-lifetime ceremony, celebrated alongside my new friends in the MBA cohort, was the moment I truly felt my dream had come true. Standing in sub fusc, surrounded by centuries of tradition, I realised that I would forever be an Oxonian – part of the university’s rich history, vibrant present, and promising future.

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 week before I submitted my responses for this interview, I attended the Vice Chancellor’s International Women’s Day Event on Tackling the Academic Gender Gap. At this event, I had the opportunity to listen and speak with Vice Chancellor Professor Irene Tracey, who moderated a panel discussion with four departmental heads whose teams have made remarkable progress towards gender equality.

Although the discussion focused on academia, the insights shared were highly relevant to the business world, offering practical strategies that I can apply post-MBA. The event made me once again feel proud of joining Oxford – an institution where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a lived reality, championed by leadership at the highest levels and embraced across the university community.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I would have to say getting into the Oxford MBA. When I think about my biggest career accomplishment, a few milestones come to mind, but this one stands out because it represents everything I have worked toward – my professional achievements, my perseverance, and my aspirations for the future. It is not just about getting in; it is about what this experience is unlocking for me. Oxford has already broadened my perspective, connected me with incredible people, and opened doors that I would not have imagined before. I know it is going to shape the next chapter of my career in ways I am only just beginning to realise.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? One of my biggest accomplishments as an MBA student so far has been reaching the finals of the BNP Paribas Investment Banking Challenge. Competing alongside my team and presenting in front of senior leaders at BNP Paribas’ London headquarters was an incredible experience – both intense and rewarding. It pushed me to think critically under pressure, refine my financial and strategic thinking and gain invaluable exposure to the world of global investment banking.

But beyond competitions and professional milestones, what truly stands out is the friendships and connections I have made here. The MBA has brought together an incredible group of people from all over the world, and without this experience, I would not have had the chance to form such deep, meaningful relationships. These friendships, built through late-night discussions, team projects and shared experiences, are just as much an accomplishment as any competition result or job offer. I know they will last far beyond my time at Oxford.

What has been the biggest epiphany you’ve gained about yourself or the world since you started your MBA program? My biggest revelation is how diverse perspectives enrich problem-solving and foster innovation. As a dual Australian and Vietnamese citizen with deep connections to both countries, working alongside classmates from 60 countries has further shown me that embracing differing cultural, professional, and ideological viewpoints not only expands my thinking, but also equips me to lead inclusively, whether as Co-Chair of the Finance OBN, or Co-Head of Allyship of the Oxford Women in Leadership Alliance. On a personal level, I have realised that true leadership extends beyond individual achievement to inspiring and empowering others to create a collective impact. This insight will strengthen my resolve to drive meaningful changes in my career and community throughout and beyond my time at Oxford.

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