Luisa Fernanda Romero Munoz

Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford

“An engineer building bridges for peace through social entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism.”

Hometown: Popayán, Colombia

Fun Fact About Yourself: In my free time, I create educational content that inspires young Latin Americans to access international scholarships and break the cycles of poverty and education inequality.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Cauca – Electronics Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:

Civicus – Digital Action Lab Coordinator

Co-founder – Get Up And Go Colombia & Tiuspa Cafe

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? The defining factor that led me to choose Oxford Saïd’s MBA was its commitment to impact. I have been a social entrepreneur for more than ten years. While I had participated in several programmes that helped me refine my skills, I recognised gaps in my ability to scale my initiative and the need to develop a stronger strategy, structure, and measurable objectives.

When I learned about the MBA at Oxford, I immediately knew it was the right place for me. It was not only because of its rigorous curriculum, but especially because of the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. The Centre represents exactly the ecosystem I was seeking: a community that truly believes in the power of sustainable business to drive systems change and address the world’s most pressing challenges.

Today, I am incredibly proud and grateful to be part of the Oxford MBA as a Skoll Scholar. Being embedded in a community where impact is central, has been deeply meaningful to me and reaffirmed my decision to choose Oxford Saïd as the place to strengthen my leadership while staying rooted in purpose.

What course, club, or activity has been your favorite part of the Oxford Saïd MBA experience? My favourite part of the Oxford Saïd MBA experience has been the Impact Lab developed by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. It has been an exceptional programme that brought together around 20 fellows from across the MBA and other Oxford University programmes, creating a truly interdisciplinary learning environment.

During Michaelmas (Autumn) term, we explored impact from multiple perspectives through case studies, interactive discussions, and sessions with guest speakers from leading organisations working at the forefront of social change. This combination of theory and real-world practice deepened my understanding of how impact can be measured, scaled, and sustained.

What made the experience especially meaningful was the opportunity to connect with people who are deeply aligned around impact and systems change. Engaging with peers who share the belief that complex global challenges require systemic solutions reinforced both my purpose and my commitment to social entrepreneurship. I would strongly recommend the Impact Lab to any Oxford student seeking to combine an academic experience with meaningful impact.

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 as a full time MBA student has been wearing sub fusc, the traditional academic dress required for matriculation, exams, and formal ceremonies (black academic gown, white shirt/blouse, black skirt/trousers, and bow tie/ribbon).

Each time I put it on feels like stepping into a film. It is a powerful reminder that I am part of a centuries’ old tradition. Wearing it fills me with gratitude and inspires me to make every second of this experience truly count.

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? It is difficult to choose just one interaction, as nearly every conversation at Oxford has been both unique and inspiring. If I had to highlight one, it would be my conversations with students from completely different disciplines, particularly those in medical sciences working on cancer therapies and vaccine development.

Engaging with peers who are pushing the boundaries of knowledge in such life-saving fields has deeply reminded me of the transformative power of education and research. These interactions have reinforced my belief that when diverse perspectives collide, whether in the classroom or the dining hall, they have the potential to generate solutions to some of the world’s most complex challenges.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest professional accomplishment has been recognising the leader within me and challenging myself to think beyond the traditional path of a “conventional engineer”. Embracing change allowed me to redefine engineering not only as programming or technical execution, but as a discipline rooted in problem-solving, systems thinking, and creating solutions where others see constraints.

Guided by curiosity and a strong sense of purpose, this mindset has led me to opportunities I never imagined. I am proud to have founded an NGO in my hometown, Popayan, in Colombia. It transforms former conflict-affected territories by empowering communities most impacted by violence through social entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism. What began as a local initiative has grown into a platform for broader impact.

Beyond Colombia, I have taken this work to international contexts by supporting grassroots organisations across the Global South, including initiatives in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Through this work, I have helped develop projects that combine technology and inclusive civic spaces to strengthen local leadership and social impact. A particularly meaningful aspect of this journey has been representing the voices of communities that have not been heard for years, including through my role on the Youth Advisory Board of the United Nations Human Rights Office.

Together, these experiences have shaped me into a leader with a truly “glocal” approach, acting locally while thinking globally.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? One of my biggest accomplishments as an MBA student so far has been being selected to represent my class on the Student Council as the Recruitment and Admissions Officer. This role is especially meaningful to me because it allows me to challenge the idea that there is a single “Oxford profile”.

Before applying, I did not initially see myself as a typical candidate for the programme. It was only after attending an Oxford Saïd open day that my perspective shifted, and I realised I could belong here. That experience was transformative, and it made me aware of how powerful access to information and representation can be.

I also recognise that many talented individuals around the world may never have the opportunity to attend an open day in person. Through this role, my mission is to help close that gap by ensuring information reaches those who might not otherwise see themselves reflected in the programme. By amplifying diverse stories and pathways within our class, I hope to inspire future applicants to believe that Oxford is a place where they, too, belong.

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? The social issue that resonates most deeply with me is inequality, particularly the lack of access to education and dignified economic opportunities in post conflict and marginalised communities. In many of these contexts, poverty and exclusion allow illicit economies to become the primary means of survival, perpetuating violence, instability, and limited life choices.

Through my career, I plan to use social entrepreneurship as a tool to counter these dynamics by creating sustainable, legal alternatives that generate income, dignity, and long-term opportunity. By building and scaling impact-driven businesses, particularly in tourism and education, I aim to strengthen local economies, support social cohesion, and reduce dependence on illicit activities.

Alongside this, I remain committed to mentoring and creating educational content that helps young people from these communities access international education opportunities, empowering them to become leaders and changemakers within their own communities. Oxford Saïd’s mission-driven approach is equipping me with the strategic mindset and global perspective needed to amplify this work. My long-term goal is to bridge local action with global systems, ensuring that communities most affected by inequality lead the solutions that transform their futures.

DON’T MISS: MEET OXFORD SAÏD’S MBA CLASS OF 2026

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