Rosie Popa: Championing Leadership and Inclusivity through Sport and Business 

Rosie Popa brings a unique blend of athletic excellence and business acumen to the Oxford SDG Impact Lab. As an MBA student and gold medalist from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Rosie's journey exemplifies the power of sport in driving positive change and fostering inclusive leadership. "I was drawn to the Lab program because of the opportunity to develop innovative ideas, make a tangible impact, and meet individuals from diverse backgrounds across the University of Oxford," Rosie explains.  

Rosie's initial engagement with the SDG Impact Lab was with the Sport Impact Lab. As a Fellow, she contributed to the "Sport to Impact" initiative, which leverages sport to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A highlight of Rosie's journey was the inaugural PowerHouse Games in Oxford where "30 students from Greyfriars Catholic School, along with peers from the SEN John Watson School and 20 university students, engaged in inclusive sports activities," she shares. This event exemplified the Sport to Impact program's mission to use sport as a catalyst for SDG progress, promoting health, peace, reduced inequalities, and education. 

Rosie's continued involvement led to her field lab experience with the Business Impact Lab. As a leadership specialist, Rosie worked with the BMW Group MINI Plant Oxford to provide valuable insights into leadership development in a high-performing organization. "Working with the various stakeholders at BMW Group MINI Plant Oxford highlighted the importance of small mindset shifts and constant iterations for leadership evolution," she reflects. 

One particularly rewarding aspect of her experience was feeling fully integrated into the BMW Group MINI Plant Oxford team. "It felt as though I was a genuine part of the team, and our contributions were meaningful and taken seriously," Rosie notes. This project deepened Rosie's appreciation for the SDGs, particularly SDG #8, "Decent Work and Economic Growth." Witnessing BMW Group's integration of sustainable practices into their leadership programs reinforced her belief in the importance of sustainable business practices for long-term success and positive social impact. 

Reflecting on her experience, Rosie advises future participants to "Understand what you bring to the table from your background, insights, intuition, and point of view. Work collaboratively and be excited about the prospect of contributing to meaningful projects with world-leading partners." 

As Rosie looks to the future, her experiences in the Oxford SDG Impact Lab and MBA program have solidified her desire to continue working in high-performing environments where she can make a positive impact.