With a distinguished 39-year career at Capital Group, Victor Kohn, MBA, has served as Portfolio Manager at Capital International, Inc., as well as President of Capital International, Inc. His deep expertise in emerging markets was rooted in his early work as an Equity Investment Analyst at Capital, having arrived after valuable experience in the venture capital group at Montgomery Securities. A proud alumnus of the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Mr. Kohn holds an MBA, and carries summa cum laude degrees (both bachelor’s equivalent and a master’s) in industrial engineering from the Universidad de Chile. Born and raised in Chile, he relocated to the United States in 1982. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Kohn serves on the Board of AIPAC, and is deeply involved in the Jewish community through Valley Beth Shalom synagogue and Camp Ramah. He and his wife, Lisa, live in Los Angeles, where they have raised their two daughters. His career exemplifies the melding of rigorous analytical acumen, global perspective, and leadership, and his presence as Scholar in Residence promises to ignite students’ ambition, nurture their intellectual curiosity, and open pathways to global markets and the world of finance.

Partnering with Khushnaz Katrak, Finance and Entrepreneurship Teacher and MASA Facilitator, Kohn has designed sessions that intentionally bridge theory and practice—giving students access to voices and experiences they would rarely encounter in a traditional classroom. Each visit features guest professionals from across the financial world, including private equity, venture capital, and investment banking, who share candid insights into career paths, daily realities, and long-term growth.

Students are especially drawn to conversations about professional trajectories and work-life balance, asking thoughtful questions about what success actually looks like over time. The format encourages curiosity and agency: after guided discussion, students take the lead—posing their own questions and engaging directly with industry experts.

“Victor didn’t just bring expertise into the classroom—he brought the industry with him,” shared Khushnaz Katrak. “By exposing students to professionals who are masters of their craft and highlighting the breadth of opportunities within finance, students have been able to broaden their understanding of what a future in the field can look like.”

Student reflections underscore the impact of the experience. Aaron Kashani (MASA Finance) shared that learning directly from finance professionals about investing and private equity was both inspiring and eye-opening. “Hearing firsthand about the time commitment and real-world processes of the industry deepened my understanding of finance and opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn’t considered before,” he said.

For Liesl Klaparda (Intro. to Investing), the experience emphasized perseverance and growth through failure. “What stood out to me most was Larry’s philosophy of continuing to try until something works,” she reflected. “Hearing how he built a successful company and then invested in others like it gave me hope that one day I could do the same. It really reinforced the value of persistence and learning from failure.”

For David Amar (MASA Finance), the Scholars in Residence experience offered rare access to professionals actively working in the field. “I gained a clearer understanding of how demanding the finance industry can be and how much persistence it takes to reach your goals,” he reflected. “I’m very grateful for the experience.”

Andrew Hakim (MASA Finance + Investment Portfolio) emphasized how the program made finance feel tangible and accessible. “Hearing what professionals’ jobs are really like day to day helped me better understand the skills, mindset, and dedication it takes to succeed,” he shared. “It gave me a new perspective on career paths in the field.”

Other students highlighted how the sessions encouraged reflection beyond career outcomes. Camryn Benafshaha (Intro. to Investing) shared that hearing about Larry Gross’s career journey was particularly impactful. “Learning how he started in finance and built a company with his brother showed me that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and work hard,” she said. “It also reinforced the importance of patience and staying open-minded when approaching opportunities in business.”

Through case studies, mentorship, and open dialogue, Kohn is helping students think critically and creatively about innovation, leadership, and global markets—while grounding those lessons in real-world experience and ethical responsibility.

A Program Rooted in Purpose
Milken’s Scholar in Residence program reflects the school’s unwavering belief in the potential of its students and its dedication to meaningful, experiential learning. By connecting students with accomplished leaders who model intellectual curiosity, ethical decision-making, and lifelong engagement with Jewish values, the program creates learning experiences that extend far beyond the classroom.