It was the moment I’d dreamt about my whole life. Standing in the Deodoro Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, I was playing in the USA rugby team at the 2016 Olympic Games. It was our first match, against Argentina. All the hard work, the endless hours of training and sacrifice all culminated in this one moment on the rugby pitch. You feel the weight of your country’s expectations. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.
Rugby has been a huge part of my life. Born in New York City, I spent much of my early years in Fiji, where my parents were born. I captained the national Fiji under-21s and men’s rugby teams. Later, after studying for a degree in business administration in Japan, I was invited to join the USA rugby team. It was an honour to represent the USA at the Olympics, the Rugby World Cup and Rugby Sevens, and later play professional rugby at club level in the UK.
From the rugby pitch to the business world
But, after more than a decade of competing at the highest levels of the game, I knew that retirement was fast approaching. I needed to plan for the future – gaining the skills to transition from the rugby pitch to the corporate world.
Many athletes struggle with that transition from sport. But I felt that the skills I learnt on the rugby pitch, such as resilience, adaptability and teamwork, were highly transferable. I enjoyed my undergraduate studies in business administration, and I was keen to deepen my business knowledge. Following a move to Seattle, I started to look at my options – and that led me to the Oxford Executive MBA.
I needed to plan for the future – gaining the skills to transition from the rugby pitch to the corporate world.
The programme turned out to be everything I was looking for. The quality of the teaching, the diversity of my cohort, the clubs...the whole experience has been fantastic. I even played for the Oxford University Rugby Football Club – earning two ‘Full-Blues’ in the prestigious Varsity matches (twice) and winning with the team in 2021 and 2022. Full-Blues are the highest accolade awarded to individual sportspeople at the University of Oxford.
Learning from inspirational leaders
In terms of academic study, I was learning alongside professionals from all kinds of industries. One moment I’d be chatting to a medical doctor and then I’d be talking to a pilot from the US Air Force or a CEO from Nigeria. This rich mix of perspectives opened my mind to new ways of thinking. I was inspired by how all these brilliant people were making an impact on the world in different ways.
The teaching was equally exceptional. The curriculum covered a broad range of topics, from leadership to strategy and entrepreneurial finance. The entrepreneurship project was a particular highlight. I was part of a team developing a new telehealth app, drawing on our collective medical, financial, and sporting backgrounds. It was an eye-opener and showed me how I could apply my sporting skills in business.
Joining the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee
Studying for the Oxford Executive MBA has been instrumental in helping me secure my new role on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. I’m now part of the team behind the team!
In the run-up to Paris 2024, I’ve been working on talent acquisition. Drawing on the insights from the Oxford Executive MBA, I’ve been streamlining hiring processes and looking at how we can encourage greater diversity on the committee.
During the games, I’ll also be working in the Olympic Village – offering one-to-one support for our US teams. As a former Olympian, I understand the mental and physical strain competitors face in high-performance sports. My job is to ensure that the experience is as seamless as possible for the competitors.
Studying for the Oxford Executive MBA has been instrumental in helping me secure my new role on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
Following the games, I’ll be transitioning to a new role focusing on business innovation – growing audience engagement and viewership in the run-up to Los Angeles 2028. I’ll be implementing many of the marketing, data and analytics insights from my time at Saïd Business School.
The Oxford Executive MBA has changed my life. I met classmates from all over the world who challenged my thinking and tutors who inspired me. They still inspire me to be a better leader and person. The programme surpassed my expectations in every way, enabling me to make a smooth transition from sport to business.
The Oxford Executive MBA has changed my life. I met classmates from all over the world who challenged my thinking and tutors who inspired me.
If you’re interested in sharing insights on sport, business or the Olympic Games, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.
You may also be interested to read my earlier blog on what business can learn from rugby.
