Oscar Ledezma (MBA98): Bridging Cultures and Building Brands in Consumer Goods
From the classrooms of Simon to leading teams in global corporations and now the cutting edge of private equity, Oscar Ledezma (MBA '98) has charted a remarkable course in the consumer-packaged goods industry. With over 25 years of experience spanning three continents, Ledezma's journey showcases the transformative power of a Simon MBA and the opportunities it can unlock.
Today, as a private equity advisor focusing on Hispanic-founded consumer businesses, Ledezma is leveraging his extensive experience to bridge cultural gaps and drive growth in an increasingly diverse market.
The Story Starts at Simon
Ledezma chose to pursue an MBA at Simon because he wanted a program with a strong finance and economics foundation in addition to a diverse international student body. With a bachelor's degree in economics from Central University in Caracas, Venezuela, Ledezma sought to build upon his existing knowledge while gaining exposure to a global perspective.
"Simon hit both of those marks," Ledezma recalls. "I was accepted to a number of schools, and I decided to go to Simon, and I'm very happy that I did."
At Simon, he found himself immersed in a rich, multicultural environment that would prove invaluable in his future career. The school's large international cohort offered a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and networking.
One of Ledezma's most cherished memories from his MBA years was participating in a presentation about Venezuela. "There were close to 10 students from Venezuela," he says. "We prepared a comprehensive and fun presentation of the country, and it was so wonderful to share it with the broader Simon community."
Academically, Ledezma focused on finance and accounting, planning for a future career in corporate finance. However, he found himself drawn to another area. "I had a little bit of an itch to learn more about marketing during my MBA, but I was very centered on finance and accounting," he said.
He was able to secure a summer internship with BNP Paribas in New York City. This experience, while challenging, proved invaluable in helping Ledezma refine his career aspirations.
"It gives you an idea of how work life is in the US," Ledezma said of his internship. "But it also allows you to explore areas that weren't on your radar. You learn by identifying if they are a real fit for your career or not."
For Ledezma, the internship confirmed that investment banking wasn't his desired path, steering him towards a career in consumer-packaged goods where he could work with tangible products.
Ultimately, Simon opened doors to opportunities he might not have had otherwise. "Simon was very generous to me in so many ways," Ledezma reflects. "I had a terrific education and a great group of friends I still keep in contact with.”
Going InternationalAfter completing his MBA, Ledezma embarked on a career path that would take him around the world. His foundation in finance and international business from Simon would set the stage for what was to come. | 
“I was very in tune with what the broader population of Venezuela was going through. So, I had to ensure that all the employees had a good termination package and that they could transition into a new role,”—Oscar Ledezma (MBA98) |
“At that point, I was already married, and we relocated to Puerto Rico as a family. It was a wonderful period not just for professional growth but also personal growth,” Ledezma says.
While in Puerto Rico, another opportunity presented itself, taking him across continents. Clorox offered him significant assignments in the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa regions, all headquartered out of Sydney, Australia.
“Those were wonderful years in Sydney. My wife, my two kids, and I were on our own in a part of the world that was very remote. We were adapting to a new culture, a new language, and really a new way of living,” he said. “It was just a fantastic experience in a beautiful country.
“Perhaps the only downside is that I had to travel a lot because of the international scope of my responsibilities,” he said. “My family spent a lot of time on their own in Sydney. But I made sure I was back home every weekend, and we did that for three years.”
Ledezma’s ability to navigate cross-cultural complexities became evident as he continued to manage financial operations across diverse markets. His success in these regions earned him further opportunities and ultimately, a return to Venezuela—this time as general manager of Clorox's operations there. Under his leadership, the company experienced both growth and challenges amid Venezuela's tumultuous political and economic climate. When operations in Venezuela were ultimately suspended due to this environment, Ledezma’s concern shifted toward the company’s employees.
“I was very in tune with what the broader population of Venezuela was going through. So, I had to ensure that all the employees had a good termination package and that they could transition into a new role,” said Ledezma. “I wanted to know that they had all the help they needed before we left.”
After overseeing the shutdown of operations in Venezuela, Ledezma and his family returned to the U.S., where he transitioned into a corporate development and mergers & acquisitions role at Clorox’s global headquarters in Oakland.
“At that time, I wanted my kids to be settled, so I chose the Bay Area for them to finish high school. Perhaps for the first time, I prioritized family significantly more than my professional life and decided not to relocate again until they graduated,” he said. “It worked out—my kids finished school, and I still made a significant impact on the company.”
Ledezma supported several high-profile acquisitions and divestitures, and joint ventures expanding Clorox’s global footprint into new product categories. After seven years, he decided it was time for a new challenge—one that would draw on his wealth of experience but in a more entrepreneurial capacity.
A Transition to Private Equity
After an impressive career with Clorox that spanned continents and encompassed diverse roles, Ledezma was ready for a new chapter. The transition to private equity was not a departure from his expertise but an evolution towards a role where he could harness his vast experience in consumer goods and finance to make a broader impact.
One of the primary reasons for Ledezma's career shift was his desire to leverage his deep industry knowledge in a more strategic and entrepreneurial way. "I was ready to take on a role that allowed me to work directly with businesses, helping them grow and navigate their own paths to success," he said.
Today, Ledezma focuses on mid-sized Hispanic-founded consumer businesses. "I saw that many Hispanic companies were gaining scale but were still lacking the capabilities to grow to the next phase," he says.
Another driving factor behind this choice was the burgeoning economic power of the Hispanic consumer market. "The Hispanic consumer has significantly more disposable income today than they have had in the past, and this population will have even more in the future," Ledezma said. "Companies catering to this demographic are set to grow faster than other market categories."
These insights provided a clear opportunity to invest in businesses that could benefit from enhanced resources and capabilities to reach their next growth phase. Ledezma's firm has engaged with over 100 Hispanic-founded companies, helping them navigate growth challenges and capitalize on their strengths.
Ledezma's hands-on background has been instrumental in his current role. "Having experience running a business helps you see it through different lenses and understand what is critical for success," he said.
Looking ahead, Ledezma envisions supporting Hispanic-founded businesses and influencing the broader investment ecosystem. "In the short term, we want to invest in and grow companies that meet our criteria," he said.
Ledezma is also broadening his private equity endeavors to the pet health and wellness category. “I love the pet category dynamics, and the growth profile of some key segments, in particular, those at the intersection of pets and health and wellness.” "In the long term, I aim to become a limited partner and deploy capital and capabilities to attractive companies that need it."
Lessons Learned and Insights Shared
Ledezma advises current Simon students to recognize the importance of seizing opportunities and remaining adaptable.
"Have a clear idea of what you want but be open to change and stay flexible,” he said.
Ledezma’s career has also been shaped by balancing goals and family life, aligning professional decisions with personal values and circumstances.
"I’m in partnership with my wife and family because, in the grand scheme of things, it is OUR journey. I’m lucky to have been able to prioritize what’s been important in my life to a certain degree," he said.
Like other alumni, Ledezma is committed to giving back to the next generation of Simon graduates—helping them navigate their career paths and explore new opportunities.
"I get a lot of calls from Simon MBA students who are transitioning into or looking into jobs," he said. “I help them think about possible opportunities and leverage my network to enable them a little bit when I can.”
Ledezma also appreciates the opportunity to engage with fellow graduates and contribute to the vibrant Simon alumni network in the Bay Area. Since relocating, Ledezma has deepened his engagement with the local Simon alumni group.
"I became much more engaged with the alumni group in San Francisco after we moved to the Bay Area," he said. “The Simon community has a very powerful impact— not only for younger adults who are graduating but also for alumni who want to be engaged. So, kudos to Simon for investing in these networks.”
Coming Full Circle
Oscar Ledezma's professional path— from navigating global markets to his current role in private equity championing Hispanic-founded businesses—started at Simon. His experiences demonstrate the value of adaptability, strategic vision, and the powerful connections forged through Simon.
As he continues to make significant strides in private equity, Ledezma plans to continue to give back to the Simon community as a mentor and active participant in alumni events.
"I very much value what Simon offered me, and I want to pay it forward.”