My name is Maya, and I'm an MBA student at Saïd Business School and a Laidlaw scholar.
Growing up as a minority member—I faced barriers that often made higher education and career advancement seem like distant dreams that had to be fought for. But I always believed in breaking barriers rather than being defined by them and that everything I aspired to is within my reach.
Before joining Oxford, I spent over 4 years working in consulting at Deloitte. While I was grateful for the opportunities I had, I knew the time had come to take the next step—to broaden my impact, sharpen my skills, and work towards driving a meaningful change in the world. And for me, that next step was pursuing my master’s degree at the University of Oxford.
Oxford and Saïd Business School offer a unique environment where everything I wanted to do, learn, or experience is within reach. It's a place where I have grown both professionally and personally. Since arriving, I have been amazed by the events and the incredible people I have met—from industry leaders to inspiring business figures. For that, I'm grateful to Saïd Business School’s leadership and the MBA team for organizing these opportunities for us. But most importantly, l'm thankful for the friendships I have built here.
However, getting here wasn’t easy. For many students, financial barriers often stand between them and their dreams. For me, the Laidlaw Scholarship removed those barriers. It didn’t just provide financial support—it validated my aspirations and reinforced my belief that passion and determination should be the only deciding factors in one’s ability to access world-class education.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Laidlaw Foundation and all the generous donors who made this incredible opportunity possible—not just for me, but for so many students who, like me, had dreamed of studying at the University of Oxford. The impact of this scholarship went far beyond financial support. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I'm fortunate to have personal support for my journey, my dreams, and my future plans.
Looking ahead, I'm eager to build a meaningful career focused on sustainable impact. Most importantly, I hope to give back—to the world, to Saïd Business School, to Laidlaw, to my family and to my community.
As we celebrate generosity and impact, I wanted to emphasize this: philanthropy doesn't just change lives—it creates ripple effects that transform entire communities. The investment made in students like me will shape the leaders of tomorrow—leaders who will go on to make the world a more equitable and inclusive place.
So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in students like me, for making Oxford accessible, and for being part of this journey.
Find out more about the Oxford MBA
