Paying It Forward | More WHT Alumni Stories
Caption
Following our first alumni catch-up, we are delighted to reconnect with four more former Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust (WHT) Scholars from the Keble community. Since their time at Oxford, they have gone on to build impactful careers across a range of sectors and countries. In this second instalment, they reflect on their journeys beyond Keble, the lessons they have carried with them from Oxford, and the ways they continue to make a difference in their professions and communities.
Max Rath
2023 MBA
I trained as a physician in Johannesburg, at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the third largest hospital in the world, where tuberculosis (TB) causes daily devastation to the lives of South Africans. TB is still the world’s leading infectious disease killer, and disproportionately burdens the communities I trained in. After years of witnessing the devastation caused by TB, I became frustrated by the reactive nature of health care: Why are we not detecting TB earlier? Why can we not prevent this devastation?
I came to Oxford and Keble wanting to understand how my clinical background could help solve some of these health-care challenges at larger scale. The MBA gave me the framework, and the WHT community and programme gave me the inspiration.
Today I am Chief Medical Officer at AI Diagnostics (AID), a medtech startup in Cape Town. We have built Ostium, a digital stethoscope designed for use by nurses and community health-care workers, paired with AI models that screen for lung diseases using sound. Our first AI model screens for TB and is now deployed across clinics in South Africa. We are working with the WHO, Gates Foundation, and Stop TB to evaluate the product for TB screening in 13 countries in Africa and South-East Asia. We’ve also received funding from the Gates Foundation to develop AI models for other prevalent lung diseases.
Last October, I represented AID on a panel at the Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting in Manila (the picture below, wearing my Keble tie), making the case for our work in front of WHO leaders, health ministers, Gates Foundation leadership and the Global Fund. Standing on that stage was a reminder of how far an idea can travel when you have conviction in its potential for impact.
[Image caption] On the panel at the Stop TB Partnership Board Meeting, Manila, October 2025.
What I value most from Keble and the WHT is hard to measure: the evenings with scholars debating politics, ethics, governance, and health from every corner of the world, who made me see my own field differently. Meeting and becoming close friends with the WHT scholars from all over the world was one of the most meaningful things I took from my year at Oxford as a Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffman/Sloane Robinson Foundation Scholar. I left believing that ambition and social purpose belong in the same sentence, and I carry that into every clinic we reach.
Ana Baiadze
2024 MSc Law and Finance
Since completing my MSc in Law and Finance, my path has led me to the World Bank, where I currently serve as a consultant for the Business Ready (B-READY) project. This flagship initiative focuses on benchmarking the global business environment and investment climate. Day-to-day, I find myself deeply immersed in measuring, analysing, and helping shape optimal regulatory frameworks and public service practices across the globe. It is incredibly rewarding work that allows me to bridge the gap between complex legal mechanisms and macroeconomic policies every single day.
Looking back, my time at Keble College and Oxford was profoundly transformative, but its true magic lay far beyond the lecture halls. While I still romanticise the academic rigour of the university and the striking beauty of the City of Dreaming Spires, my most lasting impressions come from the meaningful connections built right at home in Keble. Being a Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffman/Talbot Scholar was a deeply human experience defined by the lessons, support, and laughter shared among an incredible cohort of peers.
Living and learning alongside scholars from entirely different corners of the world fundamentally shifted my worldview. We challenged each other, shared our unique backgrounds, and learned the art of navigating complex global issues together. This rich environment taught me that true leadership requires a profound capacity to listen, adapt, and collaborate across cultures. I remain eternally grateful to the WHT Scholarship and Leadership Programme for granting me a community that continues to inspire my international development work today.
Iggo Kanui
2023 MSc Water Science, Policy and Management
My time at Keble College and as a Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffman/Sloane Robinson Foundation Scholar is filled with many cherished memories. I still fondly remember the countless formal dinners in Keble Hall, cheering alongside fellow students at College sporting events, and the lifelong friendships that made Oxford feel like home. Beyond the academic experience, some of my most valuable lessons came through the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Leadership and Enterprise Programme, which further reinforced my commitment to creating positive social impact.
Since graduating with an MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management, I have embarked on a fulfilling career in the water sector. I currently work for the Environment Agency, where I am part of a team responsible for overseeing sustainable water resources management and supporting the development of critical water infrastructure across the UK. My work focuses on addressing some of the country's most pressing water challenges, including increasing water scarcity, climate change resilience, population growth, and the need to secure reliable water supplies for future generations. Working closely with water companies, regulators, and government stakeholders, I contribute to long-term strategic planning and investment decisions that help balance environmental protection with the water needs of communities and businesses.
Inspired by the leadership and enterprise development opportunities offered through the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust, I recently launched the MyWater Initiative. This program uses data and advanced analytics to help households in Kenya monitor their water consumption and costs in real time. By providing accessible insights into water use, the initiative aims to promote conservation, improve efficiency, and empower communities to make more informed decisions about water management.
Looking back, I remain deeply grateful to both the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust and Keble College for the support that made my Oxford journey possible. The knowledge, leadership skills, and network I gained continue to shape my career and inspire me to create meaningful impact.
Su Zun Mon
2021 MBA
Looking back over my time at Keble College, I realise that my experiences were defined by academic challenges and a sense of belonging. The support I received as an Oxford-Weidenfeld and Hoffman/Martin Robinson Scholar is an anchor of my present identity.
Having settled down in Oxford, the city where I began my academic journey, my partner and I were married in October 2025.
The journey since graduation has been focused on establishing meaningful connections, both personally and professionally. To enhance this journey, I am currently pursuing a Level 7 Apprenticeship in Systems Thinking. In our interrelated world, understanding the evolving connections among complex systems is essential. This apprenticeship has changed how I approach consultancy and collaborative problem-solving, emphasising the importance of listening and understanding.
My professional path has been guided by a strong desire to bridge the gaps in understanding. The GOTO (Global Opportunities and Threats: Oxford) project introduced me to Systems Thinking, which has informed my work at Visual Meaning, a boutique management consulting firm. Here, we focus on the human dimension of organisational success within complex systems change, fostering shared meaning among stakeholders to enable collaboration. Currently, I’m driving our transition towards graph-centric visualisation, utilising RDF knowledge graphs for data-centric conversations that foster a profound understanding of complex systems.
Though I've built a life in the UK, Myanmar remains close to my heart. I've led a needs assessment for a microfinance institution in a conflict-affected area and serve as an advisor to TTTD (Farmers' Bridge), witnessing firsthand the positive impact on farmers' lives.
As I move forward, I carry the lessons from Keble with me. I am proud to be part of the Keble family, rooted in the connections I made and the support I received during my time at this remarkable institution.