Nicolas Lozano Landinez, London Business School’s MBA Class of 2028
Age: 30
Hometown: Born in Bogotá, Colombia, raised in Weston, Florida (USA)
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Stanford University, Management Science and Engineering
Pre-MBA Work Experience: United States Army Infantry Officer, 8 years
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I spent eight years as an infantry officer, mostly in Italy and Germany, where I designed and led multinational training events alongside NATO units and for Ukrainian forces preparing to deploy. While I greatly enjoyed my time in the military, I ultimately decided to leverage my knowledge of disruptive technologies and contribute to Europe’s long-term resilience through defence technology investing.
The MBA is the perfect medium for me to transition from the military, develop a global network rooted in Europe, and build the technical foundation needed to catalyze my impact in the private capital industry.
The timing made sense both because I reached a typical military juncture, where officers choose to continue serving in other ways or make the military a 20+ year career, and because of the strategic trends surrounding European sovereignty and reindustrialization of the defence sector.
Why did you choose London Business School? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Being born in Colombia, growing up in the United States, and having lived in seven countries, I knew that I wanted the uniquely international MBA experience that only London Business School could offer. Additionally, my wife is a pediatric dentist, and it was vital that she could keep practicing while I studied. I also wanted the modularity and flexibility a two-year MBA provides, and the prospect of living in London excited us both. The choice was very clear!
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
I believe MBA students with military backgrounds bring structure and real-world decision-making that complement many of our classmates’ deeply technical backgrounds. We often help contextualize strategic decisions because we are trained to understand the second- and third-order effects of our choices and their impact on an operational environment. I’ve found these insights valuable in our courses so far and in helping set the vision for some of the LBS student clubs.
I also believe I can add value to classmates starting their entrepreneurial journey, regardless of industry or geographic region, through my experience navigating the fragmented European procurement market, as an end-user in many complex technologies, and through my work in venture capital.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I learned to ski as an adult and am embarrassed to admit how many times I’ve wiped out or run into my friends and family. I’ve definitely gotten better, but have routinely been described as a bit of a liability on the advanced ski slopes.
Post-MBA career interests:
I want to continue investing in European defence and resilience. I am currently an MBA Associate at a defence-first, early-stage venture capital firm, and I’m looking to expand my understanding of related sectors such as energy, supply chain, and industrials. I want to help European governments affordably build these capabilities at scale so they can continue to take care of their citizens effectively.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Using the MBA application as an opportunity for self-reflection. This is an amazing time to think about your values, narrative, and what you want moving forward. Whether you leverage a coach, your network, or focus on introspection, answering these hard questions early will make your application significantly stronger. Answering these difficult questions made me feel more prepared to reach out to multiple LBS students and alumni through the LBS Ambassador program. In turn, I believe they valued the preparation, which made them even more generous with their time and more willing to support me throughout the application journey.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I would have started the GMAT much earlier. I was extremely lucky to be in a role that gave me a temporary, low-intensity window where I could focus for a few months and get the score I needed prior to the Round 1 deadline. I suggest being very mindful of the MBA application timeline and building in enough buffer to mitigate factors outside your control.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
Unsurprisingly, I would’ve skipped the GMAT. While I understand the importance of ensuring all students will succeed in the program through a common benchmark, the demands on my time, given multinational military priorities, were significant. A dedicated GMAT preparation program and my supportive wife helped me stay focused and succeed on the test.
What is your initial impression of the LBS students/culture/community?
The LBS community is deeply international, mature, and passionate. There is significant intellectual curiosity towards learning about others’ cultures, and I’ve seen people assume good intent rather than malice when navigating cultural differences. The maturity of the students also shows in their willingness to “lean in” to everything they do, whether that be social interactions, group trips, networking, and academics.
It is evident in students’ passions and professional goals that they feel a serious responsibility to fulfill LBS’ purpose to “have a profound impact on the way the world does business and the way business impacts the world.”
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
Professionally, I have joined the Private Equity/Venture Capital Club, the Military and Defence Club, the Geopolitics and Business Club, and the Entrepreneurship Club. While I haven’t decided which of these clubs I will help lead, my goal is to create cross-functional teams to co-host events and learn from one another at the intersection of these clubs; ultimately, I want to help build and fund entrepreneurial ventures that positively impact geopolitics.
Socially, I have also joined the Cycling Club and the Racket Sports Club – super excited to cycle around the Netherlands and France, as well as spend many days at Regents Park!
What is one thing you have learned about LBS that has surprised you?
The level of investment that LBS puts towards our self-development. Courses like the Global Leadership Assessment for Managers, and the time the Career Centre and their coaches allocate to your growth, have made me feel that LBS truly wants me to develop as a person and business leader.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
Learning more about the growing venture capital industry in Europe alongside classmates who are approaching the same industry from completely different backgrounds, and exchanging ideas/opportunities as we go!
