Catherine H. Wright

Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford

“I’m hard-headed about the things that matter most to me.”

Hometown: New Canaan, CT

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was obsessed with cooking when I was younger and once got to meet the famous cook and author Ina Garten.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Texas at Austin, Finance

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: JPMorgan Chase, 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? For me, there was no replicating anywhere else the environment which Oxford provides. Between my cohort being so international, with widely varied backgrounds, the city itself, and the legendary history of the school, Oxford was at the top of my list from the beginning.

What course, club, or activity has been your favorite part of the Oxford Saïd MBA experience? The Polo Club has been my favourite club because it is so amusingly “Oxford” and something I knew I’d likely only ever play while here. The opportunity was too good to pass up and I have really enjoyed the lessons. The MBA program has great representation in the club and it’s been a fun experience to share with classmates.

What is the most “Oxford” thing you have done so far as a full-time MBA student? The most “Oxford” thing I have done so far was attend the Merton Winter Ball. Historically, people would put up ladders to sneak in over the walls in full white-tie. I surprised my MBA friends made it to the survivors’ breakfast at 4 AM and then co-hosted an American Thanksgiving celebration with 5 other MBAs the next day at Brasenose with 90 people from our cohort.

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? There are too many even to count, but one of my favorites was when my sweet friend Luisa shared the coffee her company makes from Colombia with our section. It was so interesting to hear her talk about the process and the work that goes into it – and then enjoy the end-product that someone you know has worked so hard to bring to market (and continues to manage from thousands of miles away, while being a full-time student). It was a great tangible example of what our peers are capable of and the differing experiences they bring.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment so far was taking over a team member’s role, in an area of specialisation I hadn’t had much time at that point in my career. For the first few months, it meant getting to the office at 6:45 AM as I learned the ropes. However, I was eager to step up and meet the challenge. Covering that position led to it being my full-time role.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? I’m very proud of how I have structured things for myself coming into this next term to really hit the ground running. Michaelmas was a bit of an adjustment, but in Hilary (Spring) term I am looking forward to my classes. In particular, it will be helping an Oxford-linked female-founded startup with marketing efforts, and moving a personal project further along in its development. My time here at Oxford has been helpful to focus on strategic career thinking and to expand toward more creative ways of thinking than what I had going on in the routine of my full-time role. I am extremely excited about what is to come and what I have done to position myself for my future interests and opportunities.

Oxford Saïd is considered a mission-driven MBA program. What social issue resonates most with you? How do you plan to use your career path to address this issue? Female representation in culture and business has always been extremely important to me. My mom is (and my grandmothers were) amazing examples. I will never forget the stories of my great-grandmothers taught me from a young age how much grit it can take to move through the world as a woman. I was raised in an environment where I was taught to believe in myself and what I am capable of whole-heartedly. It matters a lot to me to be someone who makes other women believe in themselves too – whether it is my peers, younger women I meet in the workplace, or anyone else. As I move through my career, encouraging and advancing talented women will always be something I pay a lot of attention. My dream is to get to a place where I can personally invest in early stage, female-led companies, particularly in the consumer space, and act as a mentor to the women who founded and lead them.

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