UBC MM alum Wilson Lin on launching Uber for Business in Taiwan

Wilson Lin (UBC MM ‘18) has built a remarkable career at Uber, progressing from Field Sales with Uber Eats in Vancouver to launching Uber for Business in Taiwan. Drawing on the skills and insights he gained through the UBC Sauder School of Business Master of Management  program (MM), Lin leverages strategic thinking, relationship-based sales, and global collaboration to navigate complex markets and create meaningful impact in urban mobility.  

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am originally from Taiwan, where I completed my undergraduate studies in English Literature. After spending several years building my career in Canada, I moved back to Taiwan in 2021.

 
What are your professional passions?

I am passionate about relationship-based sales. I believe that successful business is driven by personalities and human connections rather than just transactions. I am also a strong advocate for creative problem-solving—I love "thinking outside the box" to provide unique solutions, even within the structured environment of a large corporation or government entity. 
 

Can you walk us through your career journey since graduating from UBC Sauder? 

My journey has been a rewarding evolution within the Uber ecosystem. I started in Field Sales for Uber Eats in Vancouver, which gave me essential "boots on the ground" experience. I then transitioned to a full-time role as an Account Representative in Toronto. A year later, I was promoted to Account Executive (AE). In 2021, I moved back to Taiwan, launching Uber for Business. In this role, I sell SaaS solutions to mid-market and enterprise clients, as well as government agencies, providing them with tailored, creative solutions. 

What is one highlight of your career that you’re especially proud of? 

I’m proud of taking a leap of faith in myself and successfully navigating significant ambiguity. Deciding to move back home to Taiwan to launch Uber for Business was a major challenge. It required me to build a market presence from scratch and manage complex high-level stakeholders without a pre-existing roadmap, proving my ability to thrive in uncertain environments. 
 

Why did you choose UBC Sauder and your specific program? 

I chose the Master of Management (MM) program at UBC Sauder to gain a strong foundation in business management that my literature degree hadn't covered.  

The nine-month duration was the perfect fit for me; it was an efficient, high-impact way to gain a broad understanding of the business world and quickly pivot into the professional workforce. 

How did your experience at UBC Sauder shape your career path or contribute to your growth? 

There are three key themes that come to mind when considering how my UBC MM experience still impacts my career daily. 

• Strategic Thinking: Darren Dahl’s marketing course taught me how to offer different, creative solutions in rigid settings—a mindset I use daily at Uber. 
• A New Approach to Sales: The program completely redefined sales for me, shifting my focus from transactions to long-term relationships. 
• Global Collaboration: Working within such a diverse cohort prepared me to thrive in multicultural environments, which has been essential as I navigate global corporate structures. 
   

Is there a standout memory or moment from your time at UBC Sauder that you often reflect on? 

I often reflect on the product pitch project. That experience sparked inspiring ideas and taught us how to narrate them effectively, making them "sell." 

I also vividly remember a lecture from a director with sales experience who emphasized that sales are primarily about personalities. Between those practical lessons and the candid, open conversations with my peers, the program provided the perfect training ground for my current career. 
 

Do you have any advice for students? 

To quote Ted Lasso:

"Be curious, not judgmental."