Alumni Spotlight

"Be Kind. Embrace Discomfort. Give Life Your Best." -Belinda Makumbi’s Journey From Vienna to the World

Belinda Makumbi (Class of 2006)

Senior Compliance Officer and Principal Consultant Asset Management, UK

When Belinda reflects on her years at Vienna College, the memories come flooding back filled with laughter, music, talent shows, and moments that quietly but powerfully shaped her future. Today, she is a Senior Compliance Officer and Principal Consultant in the UK’s asset management sector, but her journey began as a curious and driven student on the leafy campus of Vienna.

“I’d say I’m someone who’s embraced the best version of herself,” she says thoughtfully. “Vienna gave me the confidence to take on the world.”

From Law Dreams to Financial Regulation

Belinda had always been passionate about law. After leaving Vienna in 2006, she pursued her studies in the United Kingdom, earning an LLB (Hons) Law degree from Coventry University and later, an LLM in International Corporate Governance with Financial Regulation from the University of Warwick. During that academic journey, she discovered a deep interest in financial regulation.

“Compliance felt like the perfect hybrid of my interests,” she explains. “It allowed me to merge legal theory with practical risk management.” She also completed a professional Diploma in Investment Compliance from the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI).

Today, Belinda boasts extensive experience in financial crime, compliance advisory, and generalist compliance, having worked with industry giants such as J.P. Morgan, UBS Asset Management, and Chevron Oil & Gas.

The Seeds Planted at Vienna

Belinda credits Vienna for sowing the seeds of both her personal and professional growth. “Vienna gave me the tools, and more importantly, the confidence to take on anything.”

Some of her fondest memories revolve around her love for music and the stage. “People remember me dancing to Tony Braxton, Aaliyah, and Shakira,” she laughs. “I loved to entertain and make people laugh.” These early performances in talent shows and school events not only brought her joy they built her confidence.

But it wasn’t all music and laughter. Vienna also gave her the spark that led her into law. “Debate club was pivotal,” she shares. “It sharpened my thinking and gave me the foundational skills I would later use in moot court competitions at university.”

A Life-Changing Lesson and a Second Chance

In a moment of candid reflection, Belinda shares one of the most formative challenges of her school life. “In S1, I was the first student to be suspended for having a radio,” she says. “At the time, it was considered contraband.”

While difficult, the experience became a turning point. “I sat with that moment and made a decision about the kind of person I wanted to be.” But more importantly, it was also a lesson in grace. “When I returned, Madame Florence simply said, ‘You’ve suffered enough. Go back to class.’ That moment of kindness changed me.”

It reminded her that second chances matter and that the kindness of one teacher can ignite a sense of responsibility and purpose in a student.

Giving Back Through the Alumni Community

Belinda’s connection to Vienna didn’t end at graduation. She recently returned to speak with Year 13 students and found them “driven, full of ideas, and ready to take on the world.”

For her, being part of the alumni network is a chance to give what she didn’t have—real-life mentorship. “We are the compass. We’ve seen the world, and we have a responsibility to guide the next generation.”

She believes the alumni community could be even more impactful if parents were also brought into the fold. “Sometimes students know what they want, but their parents don’t always understand new paths like entrepreneurship. Alumni stories can bridge that gap.”

Words of Wisdom for Students

Her message to current Vienna students is grounded in empathy, experience, and quiet strength:

“Embrace discomfort. It will make you more resilient and adaptable. And lead with kindness and compassion; these values are your greatest strength.”

Belinda also encourages students to explore beyond academics. “Everyone will have the grades, what else do you bring? Learn languages. Join clubs. Meet people from different backgrounds. Understand different perspectives. Don’t box yourself in.”

The People Who Shaped Her

Belinda speaks fondly of the staff who made a lasting impact. Madame Florence, whose kindness still echoes in her memory, and Madame Lunkuse, her supportive geography teacher. “She always made sure I was okay,” Belinda recalls.

And her favorite French teacher though his name escapes her remains etched in her heart. “He was tall, he made French my favorite subject, and he was just brilliant. If you’re reading this you were amazing.”

A Story of Grace, Grit, and Growth

Belinda Makumbi’s story is more than an alumni spotlight it’s a testament to what’s possible when education, community, and character come together. From talent shows to compliance boardrooms, her journey is marked by resilience, reflection, and an unwavering belief in doing her best.

She leaves us with this: “Vienna shaped me. And now it’s our turn to shape the next.”