Each year, alongside their programme, our Durham MBA (Full-time) students are offered the support of a mentor to help them navigate the demands of MBA study and prepare for the transition to the workplace. Each year the students can nominate their mentor for Mentor of the Year.
The mentoring programme is a cornerstone of the Durham MBA (Full time) programme, in which each student is matched with mentors from the business and alumni world to provide guidance and support.
We are delighted to announce the 2024 Mentor of the Year is John Martin Miller. John graduated from Durham in 1979 with a BA in English Literature and Geography. Recently retired from working as Senior Vice President of Nestlé S.A., in charge of Africa, South Asia Region and Pakistan, John volunteered to support current MBA candidates in his free time.
Commenting on receiving the award, John said, “Having attended Durham as an undergraduate in the late 1970s, I owe the University a huge debt of gratitude. My Durham degree opened the door to a career in multi-national business, which gave me the opportunity to live and work in nine different countries across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central Europe and Africa. Along the way, I have had the good fortune to work with, and be mentored by, several outstanding colleagues. Their wisdom and experience have been invaluable to me. Being a part of the Business School mentoring programme has enabled me to contribute to a continuing cycle of knowledge transfer and learning.
“I believe that business can be a huge force for good, not only in creating the wealth upon which we all depend, but also in constructively bringing people together. To achieve this, it must be informed by sound values and motivations. Mentoring offers the opportunity to encourage the next generation of business leaders to reflect upon the critical place of business in a modern society. It also affords the mentor the chance to listen to the voices of those who will be responsible for forging a positive dynamic between business and society in an increasingly volatile world.”
His mentee, Elisa Telharaj, who nominated John for the award, explained why she had put John forward, saying, "I nominated John for Mentor of the Year because of his unwavering support and guidance throughout this journey. He has been deeply committed to my development, always encouraging me to push my limits and reach my full potential. His ability to offer a broader perspective, particularly by emphasising the importance of the macroenvironment, has been invaluable to my understanding of complex topics. Our discussions have covered a wide array of subjects, and he has taken the time to introduce me to other highly skilled professionals, further expanding my knowledge across different fields. These connections have significantly enriched my learning experience. We have met regularly, approximately once a month, and his thoughtful insights and personalised advice during these sessions have been instrumental in shaping my approach to professional growth. His dedication, expertise, and willingness to go above and beyond have truly made a lasting impact on my career."
Natalie McNeil, Alumni Relations Coordinator at the School, commented on the value of the mentoring programme, saying, "Our mentoring programme is a fundamental part of our MBA’s life-transforming experience. We are fortunate to be supported by the overwhelming generosity of our alumni, who every year give their time and experience to our students. John's nomination represents everything that works well in the mentoring programme and is a testament to the impact he has had on Elisa's life and career.”
John joins previous illustrious winners, Nabil Parkar, Dr Paul Aldrich, Raghava Manglik, Paul Hollick, Cecilia Luras, Travis Callaway, Stephen Tunnicliffe, Kamales Lardi, Frank Wege, Claire Rose, Hotung Lee and Elizabeth Scott.
/prod01/channel_3/business/media/durham-university-business-school/study/dba/DBA.png)