Job title: CEO – Executive Director
Company:
Focus: social innovation, youth development, cultural management
Nationality: Colombian
Year of graduation: 2025
Daniela Ocampo-Sánchez is a social entrepreneur and cultural manager from Medellín, Colombia. She is currently leading Amadeus, a non-profit organisation that uses music as a transformative tool to foster social inclusion and emotional wellbeing among children and youth in vulnerable communities. Her deep passion for social innovation and cultural innovation led Daniela to join the Executive MSc Social Business and Entrepreneurship (EMSBE) at LSE, helping her scale her impact and expand her global perspective.
With tears in my eyes and filled with gratitude, I gave myself a hug and said to myself: Dani, this is a quantum step in your career and a reminder to continue pursuing your dreams with passion and discipline.
Choosing a programme that aligns passion with purpose
Daniela wanted to pursue a master's degree in social business and entrepreneurship, a field she’s deeply passionate about. Her main goal was to enhance her managerial and business skills in the social sector.
“After extensive research, the EMSBE at LSE stood out as the perfect fit, not only for its academic excellence but also for its flexible structure, which allows professionals like me to continue their careers while studying.”
She was particularly drawn to the programme’s multidisciplinary curriculum, which blends critical thinking with practical tools across business, finance, marketing and impact measurement. For Daniela, these are important to drive socially focused entrepreneurial ventures, aligning with her mission to empower young leaders to create meaningful change.
“If you feel ready to evolve both professionally and personally, this is the perfect place to craft a deeper and more meaningful purpose to drive your social impact career.”
More than a financial support: a vote of confidence
The scholarship meant for me a powerful vote of confidence, recognising both my achievements and my potential. It reaffirmed that I belong in this programme, at LSE, and within this inspiring cohort of social leaders.
When Daniela received the news that she had been awarded a Marshall Scholarship, her first reaction was disbelief. Then that transformed into joy and deep gratitude.
“After applying for the scholarship, I kept refreshing my inbox for days, waiting for an answer. When I finally received the news, I couldn’t believe it! I had to read the email several times to make sure I had understood correctly.”
While the scholarship helped Daniela make her studies financially possible, she saw this as more than that. It was a moment of recognition, a turning point that reaffirmed she belonged to Marshall Institute and LSE network, within a global community of changemakers.
Bringing Latin American voices to the conversation
For Daniela, joining LSE hasn't only been a personal achievement - it's been an opportunity to carry the Colombian flag and represent voices, ideas and the potential of many young people across Latin America. She said:
"Every day, I challenge myself to have the courage to contribute to global conversations with my questions, insights, and perspectives. I’ve realized that the most valuable contributions come from my own beliefs and lived experiences, this has strengthened my confidence and reaffirmed my place at LSE."
Daniela further believes that there are a lot of changemakers in the region holding back and doubting whether they are ready. She offers some advice:
"You are brave enough to imagine that social change is possible. Believe that. Don’t wait until you think your idea is perfect to take the first step. Test yourself and your idea, and keep refining your designs and concepts until they start navigating more smoothly. It takes time."
A bridge to the future
The experience on the programme so far has been transformative for Daniela in multiple spheres: academic, professional and personal.
“As a scholarship holder, I have been given not only the opportunity to develop multifaceted skills that have boosted my leadership, managerial, and entrepreneurial capacities to enhance my organisation, but also the chance to see opportunities beyond my current role and abilities."
In the classroom and beyond, Daniela found space to challenge assumptions, learn from others and rediscover her own capacity to lead with creativity and courage.
“This experience has served as a bridge, preparing me to scale and accelerate my career, as well as expand my professional network worldwide.”
Advice for future applicants
“The Marshall Institute believes in your potential; now it’s your turn to honour their trust in you and amplify the impact of this opportunity. This recognition shows that you have chosen the right path.”
When asked about what advice she would offer to someone considering the EMSBE and applying for a scholarship, Daniela encourages deep self-reflection and authenticity.
Take the time to reflect on your own story and why you want to pursue the EMSBE. At the same time, take the opportunity to share your story in a way that is clear, passionate and above all, sincere.
Once enrolled on the programme, it becomes more than just a degree, in Daniela’s vision. It is a transformation – a place where you need to step outside your comfort zone and challenge your own perspectives. In this context she encourages to “come with more questions than answers”.
“All of these experiences will help you develop the creative capacity to imagine what social change could be and integrate the module learnings, faculty guidance and mentorship, cohort perspectives, and your own insights to turn those ideas into action.”
Turning learning into action
Thanks to this programme, I am helping influence a new way of doing business, grounded in a vision of hope and optimism for future generations.
Daniela is not planning to stop here. With the foundation laid by the EMSBE, and beyond leading Amadeus, she aspires to create other social ventures and empower young leaders to drive meaningful change worldwide.
“The EMSBE has been instrumental in shaping this new chapter of my professional journey.”
Her experience on the programme has expanded her strategic vision, reaffirming her long-term commitment to creating inclusive opportunities for young people. She said:
"I want to replicate and adapt the insights I am acquiring in social business, entrepreneurship, leadership, and management to empower individuals and contribute to social and environmental wellbeing."
I am already applying, and will continue to replicate, within the communities of leaders I engage with in Colombia, who are striving for a better future through social and economic inclusion.
With regards to her future plans for Amadeus, Daniela said:
"I envision Amadeus expanding into more territories, providing young people with opportunities to develop their talents and acquire skills across a wide range of industries, ultimately fostering their social and economic inclusion."
Daniela's goal is not only to grow Amadeus as an organisation, but to bring the perspectives she has learnt on the EMSBE into the communities she serves in Colombia and across the region. She finally reflected on the key takeaways from her EMSBE:
"My goal is to serve as a bridge between Academia and the communities I work with, ensuring that the tools, skills, and expanded perspectives I am gaining at LSE reach the youth I support."