Vivian Luo

Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford

“Global citizen and multi-hyphenate brand builder inspired by beauty, cultural understanding, and social justice.”

Hometown: Claremont, California

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was a professional NFL Cheerleader for the San Francisco 49ers.

Undergraduate School and Major: Duke University, Public Policy

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Gap Inc. Integrated Marketing Manager – B2B & International

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 was drawn to Oxford Saïd’s program for two main reasons: its international focus and impact-driven curriculum. One of my goals in pursuing an MBA is to develop into a globally-oriented and inclusive leader within the luxury industry. Having worked as an international brand manager, I wanted an academic experience that reflected my global career while continuing to deepen my cross-cultural understanding. Brands operate at an increasingly global scale, making it essential to build a foundation in how different markets and customers behave.

I am also deeply passionate about how companies can operate more responsibly towards the environment, employees, and customers. As one of the most environmentally impactful industries in the world, fashion and retail have a unique responsibility and opportunity to grow commerce sustainably, mitigating environmental harm while protecting stakeholders acrost the product lifecycle. Through Oxford Saïd’s courses and resources, I will continue exploring how meaningfully to contribute to progress in these areas.

What course, club, or activity has been your favourite part of the Oxford Saïd MBA experience? One of my favourite memories of my experience so far has been Matriculation Day. I couldn’t contain my excitement wearing the traditional Oxford sub fusc (black academic gown, white shirt/blouse, black skirt/trousers and bow tie/ribbon) for the first time – and officially marking myself as an Oxford student. Standing in the historic and ornate Sheldonian Theatre as the Vice-Chancellor welcomed us felt surreal. While the ceremony marked the beginning of my academic journey at Oxford, it was also a celebration of the hard work and dedication it took reach that moment for me.

Beyond my own achievement, I was proud to watch my classmates line the ancient streets of Oxford in their sub fusc and sharing their excitement for the momentous occasion. After the ceremonies, we gathered to celebrate into the night, still in sub fusc, which made the experience feel even more magical, akin to something out of Hogwarts. It was an emotional and unforgettable milestone in my Oxford journey.

What is the most “Oxford” thing you have done so far as a full-time MBA student? One of the most unique parts about the Oxford Saïd experience is participating in centuries-old Oxford traditions such as formal dinners. These evenings have made me feel more connected to the Oxford community and have served as an immersive way to learn more about the university’s colleges, each with its own distinct personality and character. Formal dinners are an essential part of the Oxford experience. This experience included attending a pre-dinner choral performance in beautiful chapels, filing into grand dining halls for a Latin grace, sharing a delicious three-course meal, and mingling with students from across Oxford’s schools and departments. They’ve also been a meaningful way to introduce visitors to the university and offer them a glimpse into my life as an Oxford Saïd MBA student.

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? When my classmate – an actor and writer – asked me to participate in a short theatrical piece she wrote inspired by her MBA experience, I was immediately excited and honoured. I had admired her previous work and been inspired by her non-traditional background. Even more, I was struck by her motivation for pursuing an MBA: making a positive impact on a rapidly evolving entertainment industry. In my professional life, I rarely found such expressive and experimental artistic outlets, so I was excited to build it into my MBA journey. While the project is still developing, it’s given me a way to engage with my classmates in a more personal and creative way. She put together a wonderfully diverse cast that allowed me to connect with even more MBA students. Our first table read was filled with laughter and I was surprise at my classmates’ impressive theatrical abilities that I might not have witnessed without this opportunity.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My greatest accomplishment was launching Banana Republic Factory’s inaugural international business outside of the US and Canada, a milestone for the brand, which had exclusively operated in owned markets until 2023. It was the first time my team introduced a value-driven subsidiary brand into international markets.

I played a critical role in supporting the business pitch to our long-standing franchise partner in Mexico through the execution of the launch in the region. Convincing an existing franchise partner to take on a new brand required overcoming concerns of brand differentiation and avoiding cannibalization of the existing specialty business while driving profitability. Through strong storytelling and strategic influence, I helped establish a clear understanding of brand identity and a growth plan that addressed potential challenges, culminating in the successful persuasion of the partner to expand their contract with Gap Inc. In two years, the Banana Republic Factory Mexico business has expanded to more than five stores and demonstrated a 138% year-over-year growth in retail sales, emerging as a top international brand. The success paved the way for future international growth.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? An accomplishment I’m proud of is representing Saïd Business School as a finalist in a marketing strategy competition focused on the tourism industry, where I competed against teams from London Business School, Cambridge.  My team ultimately placed as runner-up in the competition, hosted by Japan’s All Nippon Airlines, which challenged us to develop a strategy around increasing meaningful tourism to the Nagano region. I loved learning about a new industry and collaborating with my teammates to create a product that we were very proud of. Beyond gaining hands-on experience and receiving valuable feedback from professors and industry experts, I also built strong friendships and developed deep admiration for my three teammates, who came from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds.

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? Throughout my academic and professional journey, I’ve been guided by a consistent belief: the advancement of women is foundational to broader social progress. I began this work academically at Duke University, where I majored in Public Policy and minored in Global Health with a focus on women’s rights and reproductive justice. During my undergraduate studies, I worked with a nonprofit advocating for reproductive freedom and lobbied the U.S. government for legislation protecting a woman’s right to choose.

While I later transitioned to the private sector, I carried this mindset and sought to drive impact from within systems that shape consumption and culture. My industry is deeply tied to the women’s wellbeing – both externally, with consumers, and internally, with employees including factory workers, often from underserved communities. Professionally, I have consistently looked for ways to advance representation and promote equitable practices in the workplace. At Athleta, I contributed to product and brand strategies centered on women’s empowerment, and I served as a leader in the API@Gap Employee Resource Group, driving initiatives on a company-wide scale. As a future leader of the fashion and retail industry, I will continue creating products and strategies that positively contribute to women’s wellbeing, champion representation, and foster equity at every level.

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