Meet The Berkeley Haas MBA Class Of 2020 - Poets&Quants

It’s no secret why prospective students choose the Haas School of Business. It’s not the Mediterranean warmth, picturesque marinas, or rugged hills surrounding Berkeley. Yes Berkeley may be the ultimate college town, a magnet for free thinkers with a storied history of activism. Still, that isn’t what makes Haas the only choice for many MBA applicants.

How about being an hour away from Silicon Valley – awash in tech jobs and venture capital – or a 20 minute BART ride to San Francisco? Well, the Class of 2020 weighed that, but it wasn’t what closed them on Haas. Instead, it was something more intangible…something that aligns with their ideals and resonates in their passions.

PRINCIPLES GUIDE ALL DECISIONS AT HAAS

They are called the Defining Leadership Principles. Sound too good to be true? Believe it or not, they are anything but a marketing ploy or academic fluff. How serious do students take them? According to internal surveys of MBAs and undergraduate business majors, three out of four students cite the Defining Principles as a main reason for choosing the school. As applicants, they are assessed by how well they personify these principles in essays and interviews. As students, scholarships and awards are doled out based on the example they set using the principles. This seriousness extends beyond the students. Faculty hiring decisions and evaluations, for example, also incorporate how well they exemplify the principles in their teaching and beyond.

Students volunteering at the Alameda Point Collaborative during orientation week. (Week Zero)

In other words, the Defining Leadership Principles are a non-negotiable social agreement, one that governs the class’ behaviors and expectations – not to mention the school’s curriculum and direction.  For the Class of 2020, Haas’ delivery has exceeded the principles’ promise that enticed them during alumni calls and campus visits.

“Berkeley Haas maintains a strong culture of curiosity, innovation, and selflessness through its Four Defining Leadership Principles,” writes Benny Johnson, a U.S. Navy Lieutenant.

“Unlike many such initiatives that amount to PR stunts, I was pleasantly surprised to see that reality reflects the school’s chosen ideals.”

FROM IDEAL TO ACTION

Those ideals are divided into four parts. “Question the Status Quo” turns Berkeley’s traditional agitations into a positive for business – a way to shepherd ideas that defy convention and foster innovation. “Confidence Without Attitude” is a statement that values decision-making based on analysis and testing over politicking and indolence. At the same time, “Students Always” highlights the importance of life-long curiosity and learning to spur personal growth. Finally, “Beyond Yourself” is a call to act ethically and responsibility, a reminder that students to think long-term and act responsibly so they can make a difference far beyond Haas.

“Beyond Yourself” is the principle that made the biggest impression on Afnajjer Hernandez when he reached out for advice from current Haas students. “As we ended the call, I thanked them for their time. They responded with, “Not a problem! Just remember, help those behind you when you’re in my shoes.” Even during a casual informational call, the students never forgot to go “Beyond Yourself.”

In contrast, Alan Man, a “hugger” and EY consultant, identifies intimately with each of the Defining Leadership Principles. “I am so excited to be a part of, and contribute to, the culture at Haas and to be part of an organization that has values which truly represent my own values,” he says. “Each principle has a place in my heart – talk to me about which defining principle I identify with the most because I will give a different answer each time.”

The Defining Principles were also game-changers for alumni like Liz Koenig, a 2018 grad and member of Poets&Quants’ Best & Brightest MBAs. Notably, they guided where her classmates devoted their energies. “Question the Status Quo” and “Beyond Yourself” have defined my experience here,” she explains. “Every day, I see students who have decided, “This needs fixing” (whether it’s food systems, Bay Area housing stock, or the lack of tampon machines in the Berkeley bathrooms) and then, without a beat, rolled their sleeves up and started working towards a solution. They are just as motivated by their desire to dream up innovative solutions as they are by their commitment to making the world better to those around them.”

INCOMING CLASS ALREADY FOLLOWING DEFINING PRINICIPLES LONG BEFORE HAAS

Entrepreneur and investor Heather Hiles talks to the new MBA class.

The Defining Principles are embedded top-to-bottom, in every course, event, and activity – carefully crafted and closely guarded. You’ll also find this spirit in the incoming class. “Confidence Without Attitude?” Meet Katharine Hawthorne. From the outside, she has mixed her quant and creative sides. A Physics major at Stanford, she worked in finance jobs by day. At night, she was a dancer, touring across the world with 10 dance troupes. Hawthorne even ran her own dance company at one point. In the process, she developed skills certain to enrich the experience of her classmates.

“Dance taught me how to lead, inspire collaborators, and connect to audiences,” she says.

Haas also doesn’t consider itself a “place for those who feel they have learned all they need to learn.” This is part of its “Students Always” principle – one that demands students step out of the comfort zones. You won’t find someone who did that more than Katie Rentz, who was trained in oceanography at the U.S. Naval Academy. As a naval officer, she was responsible for ship navigation. Eventually, she was deployed into something different…with SEAL Team Five in Iraq. Turns out, it was a defining experience that prepared her for even bigger challenges to come.

“I never imagined my next assignment would entail a boots-on-the-ground deployment,” she muses. “Rising to the challenge of training for and completing something I never thought I would be called upon to do was transformative for me both as a leader and personally.”

Then there’s Patrick Crocker. Most recently, he was a Judge Advocate with General’s Corps, popularly known as a JAG. Before that, you would’ve found him underneath TCU’s Superfrog mascot costume…or as Foghorn Leghorn at Six Flags Over Texas. Now, he is more an exemplar of “Beyond Yourself” – a man who has lived up to the most profound of commitments in the most difficult of circumstances.

“I’m most proud of having such a strong marriage with two great kids, given everything my family has been through over the past 10 years,” he explains. “I loved being able to serve my country in the Army, but service can put a big strain on relationships and marriages. Through eight moves, two deployments, and countless nights and weekends away from my wife and kids, I’m so proud of where we are as a family right now. “The world breaks everyone,” as Hemingway wrote, and I am one of the many who is stronger in the broken places.”

GOING GREEN ALSO MEANS MORE MONEY

New MBAs getting to know each other during a team-building exercise.

You won’t find many broken students in the Class of 2020. For the most part, they are gathering resources, and like-minded peers to take small steps to improve the world. Exhibit A: Tiffany Tran. In 2016, she was listed among  Greenbiz’s 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders. At Annie’s – a division of General Foods known for macaroni – she grew the organic product line by nearly 10% and significantly reduced her headquarters’ carbon footprint. Even more, her sustainability events were major events at Annie’s, drawing nearly three out of every four employees.

Tran was hardly alone in making an impact. In the U.S. Navy, Benny Johnson led a billion dollar R&D budget “through multiple continuing resolutions and government shutdowns.” At EY, Alan Man enhanced programming for the LGBTQ group, ultimately being named a global finalist for EY’s 2016 “Better Begins with You” Award. In Spain, Oriol Pi Miloro launched the country’s “It Gets Better Project,” a global non-profit that supports teens enduring LGBT bullying.

“Working with the It Gets Better Project has been a life-changing experience,” he shares. “When I reflect upon the strength we have brought to the life of so many teenagers, it motivates me to keep changing lives on a larger, global scale, ideally through my work and my professional expertise.”

APPS DOWN…BUT MOST MEASURES UP

By the numbers, it was a forgettable year for Berkeley Haas – on the surface, at least. During the 2017-2018 cycle, the number of applications dropped from 4,132 to 3,821. In some ways, this can be seen as a mild correction, as this is still 300-400 more applications than the classes that graduated from 2012-2016. It also falls in line with similar MBA programs during a down year for applications. Notably, Haas’ 7.5% drop in applications was exceeded by MBA programs at Yale SOM (-7.6%), Chicago Booth (-8.2%), and Michigan Ross (-8.7%).

On the plus side, Haas was able to maintain its ultra-high class quality. The school reported an acceptance rate of 12% — a number that ranks just below Stanford, Harvard, and MIT. By the same token, average GMAT scores climbed a point to 726. To put this progress in context, the average was just 715 three years ago! That said, the undergraduate GPA average dipped from 3.71 to 3.66 – still the second-highest number the school has reported in a decade.

Go to next page for in-depth profiles of 11 Berkeley Haas first-years.

New students getting to know each other at Haas.

Similarly, the 2020 Class features 43% women, tying it with the Class of 2016 as the school’s high water mark. Like most Top American MBA programs, Haas attracted fewer international students than previous years. This year, the percentage fell from 39% to 34%, the lowest number since the Class of 2011. U.S. minorities make up 38% of the class, with underrepresented minorities accounting for 11%.

Overall, the largest share of the class – 24% – hails from consulting. Banking and Finance (20%), High Tech (10%), Non-Profit (8%), and Healthcare (7%) also represent large blocs of the class. Academically, business majors and finance majors each take up 11% of the seats. Technically, economics majors account for the largest share of the class at 21%, followed by engineering (16%), social sciences (14%), and humanities (7%).

NEW BUILDING AND BUSINESS ANALYTICS CERTIFICATE HIGHLIGHT THE YEAR

This year, Haas posted its largest class ever with 291 students. That’s nearly 50 more than a traditional Haas class, which had hovered from 240-250 students. One reason? The school opened Chou Hall in the fall of 2017. The six floor building, which cost $60 million dollars to build, covers 80,000 square feet and has increased class space by over 850 seats. Even more, it ranks among America’s greenest academic buildings, expected to cut 90% of internal landfill waste.

Interim Dean Laura Tyson welcomes the students on the UC Berkeley campus.

“The completion of Chou Hall has enabled us to grow the full-time MBA class size to close to 300 while providing new core classrooms with state of the art educational technology, more event space, and a new café,” says Peter Johnson, assistant dean of the full-time MBA program and admissions at Haas.

Chou Hall was just the start of a whirlwind year. In 2018, Haas has been piloting an Impact Investment Practicum that matched MBAs with organizations like Cambridge Associates and Patagonia’s Tin Shed Ventures. The school is also developing a new graduate certificate in Business Analytics, adds Peter Johnson. Notably, he writes in a statement to P&Q, the certificate will be designed for MBA students who aspire to leadership and want data to inform their decision-making.

“It will expose students to the challenges of working with data, and provide the tools and techniques for data analysis and presentation, including machine learning, data mining, and visualization. Students may earn the certificate by taking a set of electives within the full-time MBA program. We are also in the process of developing additional interdisciplinary dual-degree programs that leverage other outstanding graduate programs at UC Berkeley, which will likely be available for the Classes of 2021 and 2022.”

CURRICULUM IS THE ENVY OF MANY BUSINESS SCHOOLS

Perhaps the biggest news popped in August, when Ann E. Harrison, a top economist scholar at Wharton, takes the reins as dean, effective January 2nd. Currently on a listening tour with Haas stakeholders, Harrison has already laid out her key objections: enhancing the school experience, broadening the community, and boosting philanthropy. Just don’t expect any change to the Defining Principles. In an interview with P&Q, Harrison cited “Confidence without Attitude” and “Beyond Yourself” as the principles that she relates to most.

“I really believe in service and thinking about not just your own priorities but the priorities of the greater community and where you work and live,” she says. “‘Students Always’ is great because as a researcher I am always learning new things. What [former dean] Rich (Lyons) did was find a way to codify what was already present in the school through these principles.”

The Defining Principles aren’t the only tradition that appeal to prospective students, however. The Haas curriculum has a reputation for being rigorous across the board. According to the annual U.S. News survey on MBA specializations, which targets top business school administrators and faculty in the United States, Haas ranks in the top 10 in finance, management, and marketing – and the top five in entrepreneurship, international business, and nonprofit.

The blue cohort stops for a photo during orientation week.

“The rankings are a reflection of our sustained commitment to these areas over time, and the success of our students in them,” Peter Johnson tells Poets&Quants in a 2018 interview. “That has generated the level of awareness that leads peer schools to vote for us in this particular set of rankings. In each of those specific areas (International, Nonprofit, Entrepreneurship) we have a lot of opportunities for students, and those three areas are areas where I think we are particularly strong in experiential learning opportunities.”

AN ARRAY OF COURSES IN TRAILBLAZING FIELDS

For many Haas graduates, Haas’ International Business Development (IBD) is the program’s signature course. For over 25 years, Johnson notes, students have gained international consulting experience here. The course’s popularity has come with a price: its success has sometimes obscured the rich portfolio of applied innovation courses that students can take to gain further real world consulting experience.

“Beyond the IBD program, we have an entire suite of courses that engage students in strategic projects for companies and organizations in many fields, including Cleantech to Market, social impact, hedge fund strategies, real estate, and sustainable business,” Johnson adds. “All of our students take at least one of these applied innovation courses, which are often cited among their most valuable experiences in the program.”

Berkeley Haas also carries a long tradition of blending business fundamentals with social ideals, one that Oriol Pi Miloro says demonstrates how “doing business, generating returns and working towards social good all at once is possible.” For Tiffany Tran, such socially-driven coursework was too valuable to pass up.

“Berkeley Haas has an array of programs and centers focused on gender equality, sustainability, and social impact, all topics that are very important to me. Specifically, Haas’s Center for Responsible Business (CRB), which focuses on integrating environmentally and socially responsible practices into company business strategies and models, was a big part of my decision. As a sustainability professional, I wanted to attend a business school that had sustainability integrated into the student experience so that I could grow my expertise. The CRB does an amazing job building sustainability into the MBA curriculum and connecting students to mission-driven companies and professionals.”

A “CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE” KIND OF PLACE

Such resources feed into a culture that values sharing, collaboration, openness, and change. “I wanted to find an environment where I would both be challenged and supported in undertaking a personal transformation,” explains Katharine Hawthorne. “With a strong student-driven and entrepreneurial culture, Haas is a “choose your own adventure” kind of place.”

UC-Berkeley Haas School of Business

At the same time, Katie Rentz adds, Berkeley makes for a great place to spend the next two years.

“The culture was the biggest reason I chose Haas, but I also absolutely love the city of Berkeley. It always seems to be alive with people meeting up at cozy coffee shops, a huge variety of very authentic restaurants, dusky dive bars, and plenty of craft beer and cocktail spots. The campus itself sits beside Tilden Regional Park, which boasts gorgeous bay and ocean views and miles of tree-lined trails and roads that are ideal for running, hiking, and group road bikes. Berkeley is also a short, inexpensive BART ride to San Francisco, where there is infinitely more exploring to be done, and Tahoe, Yosemite, and wine country aren’t far away either. Beaches with surfing and coastal camping are also less than an hour away—it’s everything I love about California all in one place!”

What do they think of their classmates so far? Their language is certainly in line with the Guiding Principles. Patrick Crocker has found his classmates to be “down-to-earth” (aka “Confidence Without Attitude”) – a group that has been “extremely welcoming, and there hasn’t been any hint of competition or students sizing each other up. Everyone is accomplished, confident, and incredibly kind and genuine.”

Borrowing from “Students Always,” Malia Latin, a consultant from Portland, considers her classmates to be “open and engaged” group fueled by curiosity. “Haasies are eager to know you, help each other, and are driven to use our opportunity in b-school to help make the world a better place.”

Perhaps the spirit of “Beyond Yourself” is the strongest pull at Haas. Thus far “Change-makers” seems to be the best word for the Class of 2020 according to Katharine Hawthorne. Oriol Pi Miloro, however, uses a softer word: “Awareness” – one that reflects the true differentiator of the Haas mystique.

“Every single classmate I have met demonstrated a genuine interest on the most pressing issues of our society. And they came to Haas to tackle this issues.”

What led these professionals to enter business schools? Which programs did they also consider? What strategies did they use to choose their MBA program? What was the major event that defined them? Find the answers to these questions and many more in the in-depth profiles of these incoming MBA candidates. 

Student	Hometown	Alma Mater	Previous Employer
Marnus Breytenbach	Pretoria, South Africa	North-West University	Quantium South Africa
Patrick Crocker	Arlington, TX	Texas Christian University	U.S. Army
Katharine Hawthorne	San Mateo, CA	Stanford University	Tiedemann Advisors
Afnajjer Hernandez	Orlando, FL	University of Central Florida	Lockheed Martin Energy
Benny Johnson	Houston, TX	University of Texas at Austin	U.S. Navy
Malia Latin	Portland, OR	Occidental College	NERA Economic Consulting
Alan Man	Auckland, New Zealand	University of Auckland	Ernst & Young
Oriol Pi Miloro	Barcelona, Spain	Unversitat Pompeu Fabra	PhD Roland Umlauft
Katie Rentz	San Diego, CA	U.S. Naval Academy	U.S. Navy
Tiffany Tran	Long Beach, CA	UC Berkeley	Annie’s (General Mills)

 

Marnus Breytenbach

University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“An avid learner and critical thinker, excited to explore new ideas and make a meaningful impact.”

Hometown: Pretoria, South Africa

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am self-taught at playing the piano. Nothing fancy, but I can play a few fun pieces. However, my learning to play coincided with frequent power cuts back home, so many of the pieces I know I can literally play with my eyes closed.

Undergraduate School and Major:
North-West University (South Africa)
B.Sc. Hons. in Information Technology

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:
Consultant, Quantium South Africa

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I led a team to deliver South Africa’s first real-world evidence health outcomes research projects based on big data.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? I can see in my classmates, like myself, a great hunger to learn and contribute – not only academically, but through building personal and truly meaningful relationships.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? All the top business schools offer opportunities to build strong networks and career paths, expose you to inspiring leaders in each industry, and help you build the academic foundations to reach your professional goals. However, the students, faculty, and alumni of Haas that I had the pleasure of interacting with in my MBA program search demonstrated a genuine belief in and commitment to a set of values that I have found myself to resonate with throughout my early career and personal life – Question the Status Quo, Students Always, Beyond Yourself, and Confidence without Attitude. As someone who is not just attending business school as a next step in my career, but as an opportunity for personal transformation and the chance to develop into a truly impactful professional, the thought of being part of a community that not only preaches, but wholly embodies such important principals was a vital part of my search. This helped me to find a home at Haas.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school?
I am looking most forward to joining the Entrepreneurship Club. Entrepreneurship is something I am very excited about exploring during (and after) my time at Haas, and the opportunity to meet, explore, and work with like-minded and equally excited classmates and entrepreneurs will form an important part of my business school experience.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I have been planning to pursue an MBA for at least four years now. I have always had a desire to develop into a leader – someone who can take new and innovative ideas and turn them into something real, impactful, and (at least most of the time) profitable. With around five years of work experience under my belt, ranging from highly technical to client-facing roles, I feel that I have had a glimpse of what it is to be a professional. For me, the next step is to better understand the impact(s) that I want to make in my career and to identify the correct tools and environments in which to make those impacts.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? Being an international student, I knew that the cost of doing an MBA would be more than just that of tuition fees and a cross-country road trip. I would have to make significant physical and personal sacrifices in order to have a seat at a top global business school. However, I knew that not taking the opportunity would have even greater costs. This investment was necessary for me to reach the professional and personal goals that I had set for myself.

What other MBA programs did you apply to?
Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, and Wharton School of Business

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I knew that all the best schools would do well at fulfilling the fundamental requirements, such as academics, networking, exposure, and job opportunities. Given that I was applying to the best-of-the-best, what was more important for me was to understand their culture; their commitment to making meaningful impact; proximity to and involvement in industries of interest to me, including technology, entrepreneurship, and venture capital; and their ability to build a community rather than just a network. These were issues I brought up consistently when engaging with staff, students, and alumni during my program search. I found that having personal conversations about these topics provided much more helpful information than the global MBA rankings in making my decision.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? The most defining time in my life was when I came to grips with my sexuality as a gay man. Going through this journey forced me to question my own beliefs and the norms we observe in everyday life. It helped me to learn introspection, self-care, and self-respect. It inspired me to reach out to others, to better understand and respect each person’s unique journey. Most importantly, it showed me what I could accomplish through having courage, taking risks and stepping out of my comfort zone.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I plan to work either in venture capital or technology in a role that allows me to take leadership and ownership to make an impact. I also plan to always be working on entrepreneurial ventures on the side.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I see myself as a budding, successful leader in one of my industries of interest, as well as the co-founder of a start-up or two.

Patrick Crocker

University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“Father, husband, and veteran who wants to change healthcare one life at a time.”

Hometown: Arlington, Texas

Fun Fact About Yourself: I was the school mascot, Superfrog, as an undergraduate student, and worked as Foghorn Leghorn at Six Flags over Texas in high school.

Undergraduate School and Major: Texas Christian University, BS in Psychology; University of Richmond School of Law, JD

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: U.S. Army, Judge Advocate with the General’s Corps, Chief of Justice (Supervisory Prosecutor) at Fort Sam in Houston, Texas.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: This may not seem typical, but I’m most proud of having such a strong marriage with two great kids, given everything my family has been through over the past 10 years. I loved being able to serve my country in the Army, but service can put a big strain on relationships and marriages. Through eight moves, two deployments, and countless nights and weekends away from my wife and kids, I’m so proud of where we are as a family right now. “The world breaks everyone,” as Hemingway wrote, and I am one of the many who is stronger in the broken places.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? If I had to pick just one, I’d say down-to-earth. The environment at Haas is extremely welcoming, and there hasn’t been any hint of competition or students sizing each other up. Everyone is accomplished, confident, and incredibly kind and genuine.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The key factor would probably be the quality and integration of the dual MBA-MPH program. I am looking to pivot from legal practice in the military to a strategy and business development role in the healthcare sector, so I want to gain perspective and skills from both a business and healthcare standpoint. Haas has about 15 or so “dualies” in each class year that work on an MPH simultaneously, and there is a long list of graduates who are doing amazing things in the healthcare sector. The history, breadth, and seamless integration of the two programs were huge draws for me.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Definitely the Haas Healthcare Association, which is extremely plugged in to the health sector in the Bay Area, and Haas@Redwoods, which organizes hiking and outdoor activities around Berkeley and beyond to take advantage of the incredible natural beauty here. There are a ton of other organizations and opportunities that look really interesting, though, so it will be picking and choosing that will be the tough part!

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? In 2015, I had been on active duty in the Army for about seven years and found myself in a job that I loved, living in a location and in a house that I loved, and knowing I would have to leave it in a few months due to the usual military assignment rotation cycle. I decided that I wanted to transition out of the Army to give myself and my family more control and, ultimately, more stability in our lives and in my career. I was attracted to business because companies consistently look to the future, while the law constantly looks to the past, which is why attorneys, legislators, and courts are always rushing to catch up with industry. Business school is a perfect vehicle to acquire the quant skills that are often ignored in legal practice, develop a new network of contacts that I didn’t have access to in the Army, and propel myself into a new function and new industry more seamlessly and more effectively than would otherwise have been possible. It took three years to finish out my service obligation and get to this point, and I’m very happy to have been welcomed into the Haas community.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? It’s a cliché, but life is short. It would have been easy to simply reason that I had already been to law school and practiced law for ten years, so I should just keep on going either in the Army or in civilian or federal practice outside of the military. Inertia is a powerful force, and I believe I would have been miserable if I’d given into that. As a veteran, I also have access to the GI Bill, which is extremely valuable at a state school like UC Berkeley. An MBA is absolutely worth the investment if it gets you where you want to go AND if you want to experience the MBA journey along the way. For me, taking two years to focus on learning, networking, having the opportunity to intern with multiple healthcare companies, and explore northern California was well worth the opportunity cost of being out of the job market for two years.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Texas Christian University (Neeley), Harvard (HBS), Michigan (Ross), Minnesota (Carlson), Dartmouth (Tuck), and Washington University in St. Louis (Olin).

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I did a lot of research on the school websites, secondary source sites like P&Q and Clear Admit. I also contacted current or former students from each school. I knew I wanted to attend a smaller program and I wanted a very collaborative, friendly environment in a location that would be fun and interesting for my wife and two kids. Because I’m kind of a research and data nerd, I compiled a ton of info on prospective schools and locations into excel spreadsheets and quantified/weighted/color coded different qualities and outcomes of each. I drove my wife crazy by constantly talking about new information I’d found or what this person or that person had told me, and I attended info sessions and met a couple of current students for coffee when they were near where I lived.

I had two years to mull all this over (I was finishing up an active duty service obligation), which was probably too much time, but it did let me do a serious deep dive into about 25 programs. Some programs I ruled out because of conversations with students and didn’t think the culture was a good fit. I ruled out others because I visited the campus and didn’t get a good feeling about the program. For some, ]the location didn’t seem to fit the kind of day-to-day life my family wanted (there are some great schools in Manhattan, but I couldn’t figure out how I’d live in 500 square feet with my wife, two kids, and two cats). Ultimately, I determined that Haas was a place that would challenge me to grow the most, get me out of my comfort zone, and help me figure out who I am outside of the Army.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Wow, that’s a big question. The birth of my children was a huge moment for me. I have twins who just turned eight. In 2010, they were born 15 weeks premature while I was 8,000 miles away deployed to Afghanistan. My path was set by their birth, the four months they spent in the neo-natal intensive care unit, and the months, and years of specialty appointments and surgeries and therapy they endured. They were my inspiration to pursue a role in healthcare, post-MBA, and they continue to amaze and inspire me every day.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I would like to find a role in strategy/business development or management within an integrated healthcare delivery system. I’m going to explore opportunities in the biotech, medical device, and pharmacy benefits management spaces as well, but right now I think I’d like to have a role where I can see and impact the care as it’s delivered to the patient.

Where do you see yourself in five years? That seems like a long way off right now, but I would definitely like to be settled somewhere with my kids in a great school system and no plans to move anytime soon! I’d love it if I could be in a role where I could have a strategic impact on the delivery of healthcare, be empowered to find and creatively solve problems within the organization, and be a part of a cohesive, collaborative team.

Katharine Hawthorne

University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“I embrace contradiction as a finance professional and artist, physicist and dancer, quant and creative.”

Hometown: San Mateo, CA / Singapore / Wayzata, MN

Fun Fact About Yourself:  I have a dog named Vesalius who takes himself very seriously.

Undergraduate School and Major: Stanford University, BS Physics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: 

Tiedemann Advisors, Impact Investing pre-MBA intern

University of California, San Francisco, Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Senior Contract Manager

Professional dancer & choreographer

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far:  Finance by day, dance by night. For the past seven years, I balanced full-time employment at UCSF with dancing 40 hours a week. At UCSF, I managed the financial and contractual aspects of more than a dozen clinical trials. In my life as an artist, I ran my own dance company and performed professionally with 10 dance troupes in North America, Europe, and Asia. I consider my greatest achievement to be thriving in these disparate contexts.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why?  Change-makers. Of the classmates I’ve met thus far, I’ve observed a shared awareness of society’s challenges and a motivation toward affecting positive change.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? I had an exceptional interview experience at Haas. I felt seen, understood, and valued, and I greatly admired my interviewer, who was the kind of purpose-driven professional I hope to be.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? International Business Development (IBD) is an applied innovation course in which students undertake a consulting project in a developing country. Many Haasies cite it as a highlight of their MBA experience. I am passionate about sustainable economic development and excited to apply my MBA coursework in a real-world context.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?  I retired from dancing in December 2017.  Dance taught me how to lead, inspire collaborators, and connect to audiences. I decided to attend business school to build on these leadership skills and to further my interests in finance and data science.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment?  I always knew I wanted to pursue graduate education, and I’ve been saving for it since I first began working at age 18.

What other MBA programs did you apply to?  In addition to Haas, I focused primarily on international programs (INSEAD, LBS, Oxford Saïd, etc.).

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I wanted to find an environment where I would both be challenged and supported in undertaking a personal transformation. With a strong student-driven and entrepreneurial culture, Haas is a “choose your own adventure” kind of place, which resonated with me. Berkeley’s commitment to social action speaks for itself, and when considering my future career goals in impact investing, Haas stood out for its connections and resources.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? I lived in Singapore at the turn of the millennium, a time and place that imprinted on me the values of multiculturalism and optimism.  Eight years later, I returned to Asia and lived in Beijing for six months prior to the 2008 Olympics, another time of dramatic transformation. Skyscrapers and mass transit lines appeared overnight, and my fellow students on the Peking University campus dreamt of ambitious futures. These formative experiences abroad shaped my values of connecting across cultures, seeing the big picture, and thinking globally.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Impact investing. As a financial manager at UCSF, I gained experience with government and philanthropic funding, which motivated me to explore other methods of financing for social impact and systems change. My pre-MBA internship at Tiedemann Advisors exposed me to the exciting solutions currently on the market. As the field of impact investing grows rapidly, I look forward to being involved in its evolution and hope to someday run my own impact fund.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself seeking solutions at the intersection of finance and social impact. I hope to make a contribution to the impact investing field, connect with communities in need across the globe, and continue my development as an empathetic and effective leader. I look forward to starting a family and enjoying life with dogs, books, and travel.

Afnajjer Hernandez

University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“Passionate, relentless and AFfable. Pursuing a life of impact in cleantech and diversity & inclusion.”

Hometown: Orlando, FL

Fun Fact About Yourself: My name is an acronym of my mother’s relatives.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Central Florida, Finance & Real Estate

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Lockheed Martin Energy – Senior Strategic Planner

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: It was helping someone who worked for me to find his true passion has been the most fulfilling part of my career so far.

I was fortunate to be promoted to lead financial analyst at Lockheed, in charge of a team consisting of an analyst and an intern. During this time, I granted my team full autonomy and encouraged members to find the best ways to solve problems. The intern in our group began to fully immerse himself in developing high-quality macros (shortcuts for common tasks) for our reporting systems. Some were so advanced that we were worried about maintaining them after the summer. After the summer break, we reconnected and he told me that he had spent the summer thinking about pursuing his passion: information technology. When he arrived back to campus, he declared a second major in Information Technology, turned down a full-time job offer, and began his internship in that sector.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? In one word, it would be altruistic. My classmates have shown such empathy and care for one another that I am amazed at how tight-knit our community has become in such a short amount of time. That altruism is also forward looking. My classmates are all looking for careers where they can make a positive impact on society through business.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you?  A number of factors guided me to Berkeley Haas, but the Defining Leadership Principle: “Beyond Yourself” is what made me feel at home. As I conducted research on Haas, I reached out to students to gain some insight on their experience. What stood out to me was the way in which two out of three students ended our conversations. As we ended the call, I thanked them for their time. They responded with, “Not a problem! Just remember, help those behind you when you’re in my shoes.” Even during a casual informational call, the students never forgot to go “beyond yourself”.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am looking forward to joining the Berkeley Energy Resource Collaborative and plugging into the diverse and talented cleantech ecosystem at UC Berkeley.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I’m a believer in the motto “the more I learn, the less I know.” As I transitioned into a strategic planning role at Lockheed Martin Energy, I began using different tools, models, and frameworks that I had not previously encounter in a finance role. I quickly understood that for me to advance my career in business, I needed a better understanding of the complex models and frameworks used to run a large organization.

I also became aware of the complexity of the cleantech market and the different market dynamics that influence technology, policy, and business models. An MBA with a specialty in clean energy would give me the functional and industry expertise I wanted to excel in the market.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment?As a true analyst, I built a few financial models that projected cost of attendance and future earnings in a sector and made sure the IRR was well above my IRR without an MBA.

What other MBA programs did you apply to?

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Duke’s Fuqua School of Business

University of Texas, McCombs School of Business

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I used a worksheet with different parameters and weights to each parameter to assess which school would be the best fit. Below are a few of the highly weighted parameters.

• Alumni strength in cleantech
• Partner consideration
• Career placement in cleantech
• Size of class
• Geographical region

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are?I was 13 when I went on my first trip to feed the homeless, handing out bagged lunches in Orlando. Until then, my only previous interaction with the homeless had been when they asked me for money or when I saw them gathered under a highway bridge

That day, I spoke with a woman who lived in Lake Eola Park. She walked me through her life story and explained how careless mistakes and trusting the wrong people led her to where she was today. I was taught that everyone goes through challenges and that our loved ones help us through tough times. This woman didn’t have that benefit though, and her story shook me greatly. From that day on, I have volunteered to feed the homeless and made sure to listen to their individual stories. Through this work, I have developed strong interpersonal skills that I use in my professional life. More importantly, it has made me an active and empathetic listener, further encouraging people to share with me.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I plan to continue my career in the cleantech/renewable energy sector.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I envision myself working at a late stage cleantech startup as well as assisting the inclusion of Hispanic Americans into the sector.

Benny Johnson

University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“Technology optimist intending to accelerate the resource productivity revolution.”

Hometown: Houston, TX

Fun Fact About Yourself: I facilitated a pinewood derby race on a submarine.

Undergraduate School and Major:

University of Texas at Austin – BA Economics
Johns Hopkins University – MS Energy Policy and Climate

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Lieutenant, US Navy

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Shepherding a $1B+ federal research-and-development budget through multiple continuing resolutions and government shutdowns.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Humility. My classmates are simultaneously the most accomplished and humble group of people I’ve ever been privileged to meet.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Culture. Berkeley Haas maintains a strong culture of curiosity, innovation, and selflessness through its four Defining Leadership Principles. Unlike many such initiatives that amount to PR stunts, I was pleasantly surprised to see that reality reflects the school’s chosen ideals.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Sharing a lifetime’s worth of beautiful memories with people who inspire me every day.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I wanted to lay a stronger foundation for a future consulting career. The kinds of soft skills required in consulting are not well-practiced in military work.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment?An MBA is extremely valuable for soft skills development and for career exploration. Someone with exceptional soft skills and defined career goals may reconsider the opportunity cost involved.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Dartmouth-Tuck, Yale SOM

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I did full-day campus visits at each school, and at others to which I did not apply. My top priority was small class size, small enough to eventually know everyone in my year. I attended webinars and contacted current students and alumni. All top MBA programs place well into consulting.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Joining the Navy as an enlistee. Nothing strips one of pretension and entitlement as quickly as enlisted service.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Management consulting.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Manager at a leading consulting firm.

Malia Latin

University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“Risk-averse rock climber who enjoys talking data-analytics or sustainability over a glass (bottle) of Malbec.”

Hometown: Portland, OR

Fun Fact About Yourself: Performed in musical theater professionally during high school.

Undergraduate School and Major: Occidental College, Economics, Public Policy Emphasis

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: NERA Economic Consulting, Senior Analyst

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest career accomplishment so far was leading a 15-person research team to draft a report and develop, execute, and format analyses for a large class-action litigation. Our work led to a settlement of $17,000 on a multi-million-dollar claim.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Open and engaged. Everyone I’ve met has come to interactions curious to learn more and get to know our fellow classmates. Haasies are eager to know you, help each other, and are driven to use our opportunity in b-school to help make the world a better place.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? I came to Haas because the whole community is committed to using its significant resources to improve the world. The defining principles are ingrained in the culture and embedded in the courtyard concrete, and people live them here. I want to learn business in a place where people understand how lucky we are to have this opportunity and are driven to use their education to help others.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m most looking forward to working with the Center for Responsible Business to learn more about ways to integrate sustainability and the triple-bottom-line into my work.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I’m pursuing an MBA now because I want to pivot my career to more directly align with my values around sustainability and to gain skills that will help me start a business post-MBA. You can’t be what you can’t see, and business school will help me find how I can best leverage my skills and passion to have a large impact and will propel me into my next career.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I looked at the opportunity cost of switching industries and starting from near the bottom again, both in pay and time. Weighing that against two years of learning, traveling, making friends, and investing in myself, it became a much clearer choice. That said, paying tuition is still painful.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Stanford GSB, MIT Sloan, Michigan Ross, and UCLA Anderson

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I wanted a smaller school (~400 or fewer). I looked at the class statistics to ensure I was a competitive candidate, then looked at which schools had a sustainability program or emphasis. After that, I spoke with people I knew in the relevant programs and visited to assess fit with the students. I looked at employer relationships the schools maintained and where they had alumni. I also evaluated how the school presented itself to prospective students. Haas recruiters were very approachable and did a lot to demonstrate that they cared about the whole person.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment was finishing a 3-week solo backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada (the John Muir Trail) in 2017. It was a tough trip, both mentally and physically, and it gave me a new benchmark against which to measure challenges. Many tasks and opportunities don’t look so tough when compared to schlepping 40+ pounds over mountain passes in the snow and racing thunder storms down steep slopes. Completing that trip has made it easier to say, “Yes” to challenges and pursue stretch opportunities.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I plan to work in sustainability, applying those tenets to my challenging problems with an analytical context. I’ll be working hard at work worth doing.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I see myself with a strong network of classmates and a career that I’ve built post-MBA working on high-impact projects to help my employer or my clients run their businesses in more sustainable ways.

Alan Man

University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“An open-minded, determined and caring CPA/Lawyer who is passionate about advocating for LGBTQ inclusion.”

Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand

Fun Fact About Yourself: I love hugs! You will know this about me as soon as we meet, because I will (and I mean, I will) go in for the hug!

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Auckland, Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Commerce (double major in accounting and management)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:

Ernst & Young– Senior Consultant, International Tax

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My greatest achievement has been the positive impact I have had on the LGBTQ community through fostering inclusion at EY and beyond.

At EY, I established and chaired the Western Australia LGBTQ affinity group. Through my advocacy, I was able to quickly create a more positive working environment for the 650+ employees in the state. Then, because of the significant impact made, I was selected from over 6,000 nominations worldwide as the Oceania winner and Global finalist of EY’s 2016 “Better Begins with You” awards.

Outside of work, I was a board member of Living Proud, a non-profit that has supported the Western Australia LGBTQ community for almost 40 years. I also founded Perth’s Interfirm committee, a network of LGBTQ champions from 25+ professional services firms who work together to drive LGBTQ inclusion in the workplace.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? I have been surprised by how open and honest my classmates have been. We have had so many meaningful conversations. Because of this, I feel as though I have known my classmates for longer than just a few weeks. It has helped me to feel comfortable and supported as we all embark on this MBA journey.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Aside from my amazing classmates, the key factor would have to be the Defining Leadership Principles: Question the Status Quo, Confidence without Attitude, Students Always, and Beyond Yourself. I am so excited to be a part of, and contribute to, the culture at Haas and to be part of an organization that has values which truly represent my own values. Each principle has a place in my heart – talk to me about which defining principle I identify with the most because I will give a different answer each time. (I identify with each of them so much!)

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school?

I am most excited to drive LGBTQ inclusion and awareness through Q@Haas (our LGBTQ club). Haas has people from all walks of life who will go on to do outstanding things, so I feel that I have an opportunity to raise awareness among these leaders so they might go on to help in leading progress for LGBTQ people around the world.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? After six years gaining accounting and legal skills in the world of taxation, I came to appreciate how passionate I am about helping my clients solve problems and succeed commercially (and not just from a tax perspective). For me, business school represents a transformative two years of study which will allow me to pivot to a different industry, location, and function while still utilizing my existing skillset.

And on a personal note – after a year of being in a long-distance relationship, business school also enables me to be in the same place as my husband, who started his MBA at Stanford GSB last year.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment?  I simply trust that this experience will be worth it because of the thousands of others that have gone through the same MBA journey with no regrets. I have spoken to a number of alumni who have genuinely expressed to me that Berkeley Haas has been the best experience of their life.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Stanford GSB, Berkeley Haas, Yale SOM. As you can see from the programs I applied to, I was intentional in applying for programs with a smaller class size because I wanted the advantages of a small class size.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? In deciding which school to attend, I used both quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis. How typical MBA of me! I had a weighted-average spreadsheet that listed a number of factors that were important to me. I also wrote a personal journal entry outlining what was important to me. The factors I considered were broadly: People/Fit, Learning Environment, Extracurriculars, Post-MBA considerations, Cost, and Proximity to Significant Other.

After all this analysis however, I just went with my gut based on the place I felt the closest connection to and based on where I thought I would be happiest.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? At the age of 17, as an early entry college student, I volunteered for a three-month internship in Kenya. It was, and still might be, the most challenging experience of my life.

Within a month of visiting, I was mugged in broad daylight. Weeks later, violent riots erupted across Kenya due to national elections. Even though I feared for my safety and was asked to come back home, I stayed because I wasn’t going to let the team down.

By persevering, I ended up meeting the most amazing, warm-hearted people – many of whom left a mark on me. Through my experiences in Kenya, I realized that, despite my Chinese immigrant upbringing, I was so privileged to grow up in a safe, stable and economically thriving country like New Zealand. Later, this realization turned into a drive to help others, to make a difference and to create a better world for those around me.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Who knows! There are so many amazing opportunities at Berkeley Haas and beyond.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I thought long and hard about this question and the most truthful answer is that I hope to be living my best life with my husband and (future) kids. Family is so important to me. Even though I genuinely don’t know what the future holds for me career-wise, I am excited because as long as I have my family around me, everything else will be ok!

Oriol Pi Miloro  

University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“A social activist in a finance suit, feet on the ground, head in the sky.”

Hometown: Barcelona, Spain

Fun Fact About Yourself: Four years ago, I woke up after a copious Christmas’ dinner with a sudden, intense and totally unexpected need to draw. I have been regularly drawing portraits ever since.

Undergraduate School and Major: Unversitat Pompeu Fabra, Bachelor in Business Administration.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: PhD Roland Umlauft, Investment Associate.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Launching the Spanish affiliate of the It Gets Better Project, the largest non-profit fighting against LGBT bullying in schools. Since 2015, I planned the fundraising and treasury needs of the organization. I passed on my knowledge to new volunteers by explaining our guidelines at dozens of workshops, ensuring we spread hope to Spanish LGBT teenagers for many years to come. Working with the It Gets Better Project has been a life-changing experience. When I reflect upon the strength we have brought to the life of so many teenagers, it motivates me to keep changing lives on a larger, global scale, ideally through my work and my professional expertise.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Awareness. Every single classmate I have met demonstrated a genuine interest on the most pressing issues of our society. And they came to Haas to tackle this issues.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? What made me choose Haas was the commitment that the school shows in forging ethical and responsible leaders. Before applying to the Full-Time MBA program, I had completed the Certificate in Social Sector Leadership offered by the Philanthropy University and the Haas School of Business. This program gave me very strong hints about my fit with Haas. Haas has been historically known for teaching business with a social perspective, for demonstrating that doing business, generating returns and working towards social good all at once is possible. Very few programs are founded on such strong and clear statements and this was decisive in my MBA decision.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I cannot pick a single club, but I am definitely joining the Finance Club, the Haas Impact Investing Network and Q@Haas, the LGBT+ club at Haas.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?  For me it was a matter of timing. An MBA was the right step in my career: I already had a few years of professional experience and I wanted to take some “active time” to learn more about myself and the career path I wanted to take. I wanted to attend a program in one of the best business schools in the world, somewhere where I could relate to the mission of the school and its community. This place was Haas.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? The “simple” part was the financial one, as it is fairly easy to come to an accurate amount regarding the expected expenses of an MBA. Most numbers have already been crunched and published online. The information about loans and scholarships is readily available, and the universities regularly update the cost of attendance for each program. The returns side is different for each person, but it is also easy to get insights in salary data depending on the industries, roles, and locations desired. Doing a two-year full-time MBA became worth it when I realized that doing my MBA at Berkeley was the logical next step in my career. Berkeley gathered the program’s quality, the network and the proximity to the industry that I demanded from my MBA program, and this experience was impossible to replicate in any other way.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? When I evaluated my fit with each program, I carefully balanced three factors: location, post-MBA opportunities, and the school’s values. In my case, it came down to being in the Bay Area, joining a program with strong ties with both the tech and finance industries, and  being surrounded by a community with whom I share the same vision about how business should be made.

For the potential applicants, identifying with the Haas’ defining principles is an incredible “acid test” for their fit. If you have a sudden feeling of excitement and joy when going through the Haas’ defining principles… you are off to a good start in your application!

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? I have had a few defining moments that I can identify in my life, but living in Seoul, South Korea, when I was 21 years old is one of the strongest. Moving away from Spain, to a place with a completely different culture and language, enabled me to get away from my normal routine. It also gave me a unique opportunity to self-reflect.  Being far from home taught me to treasure the small details in my everyday life and to appreciate the things that I was taking for granted, like living close to my loved ones. At the same time, it was an adventure that empowered me. Living in Seoul on my own gave me a new sense of confidence and strength. I feel like nowadays, at Berkeley, I am gathering the fruits of this experience.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I am still thinking about the type of job I want to have right after graduation, but I know I want to stay in a finance-related position, ideally one that would be involved with M&A, deal sourcing or corporate development. I am very interested in technology and during the last few months I have deepened my knowledge in the healthcare / biotech industries, sectors that I have always been learning about, but never had the time to properly dive in. Blending my experience in finance and my interest in these branches of tech would be an awesome post MBA path that I will try to start in my summer internship.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself in a managerial role that involves slightly less hard skills and more sales or people abilities. In terms of location, I am flexible and I would be willing to live somewhere where I could grow as a professional and eventually settle down with my family. The US  or Europe are likely destinations, but I have no preference towards any coast or city. I wish that my job is meaningful not only to me but to the people I work with and for. The details of it is something that I will clarify along the way.

Katie Rentz

University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“I am a former naval officer who loves to swim, surf, run, and eat pizza!”

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have been a motor scooter rider since 2012 and currently own a 150cc red Vespa Sprint named Delilah 2.

Undergraduate School and Major: United States Naval Academy/Oceanography

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: United States Navy/Naval Special Warfare Unmanned Underwater Systems Department Head

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Completing a six-month deployment to Baghdad, Iraq, with SEAL Team Five was something I never thought I’d do when I was commissioned as a Naval officer in 2011, and it stands out among my three deployments as the most uniquely challenging. I was commissioned as a surface warfare officer (ship navigator) and completed my first two deployments aboard navy ships, so when I re-designated as a meteorology and oceanography officer in 2015, I never imagined my next assignment would entail a boots-on-the-ground deployment! Rising to the challenge of training for and completing something I never thought I would be called upon to do was transformative for me both as a leader and personally.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? The culture at Haas is so tangible—it’s absolutely what set Haas apart in my mind and solidified my decision to come here. Inclusivity, open-mindedness, and a passion to make the world a better place are traits everyone here seems to share, and it’s really special to feel like I’m surrounded by such ambitious, kind people.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The culture was the biggest reason I chose Haas, but I also absolutely love the city of Berkeley. It always seems to be alive with people meeting up at cozy coffee shops, a huge variety of very authentic restaurants, dusky dive bars, and plenty of craft beer and cocktail spots. The campus itself sits beside Tilden Regional Park, which boasts gorgeous bay and ocean views and miles of tree-lined trails and roads that are ideal for running, hiking, and group road bikes. Berkeley is also a short, inexpensive BART ride to San Francisco, where there is infinitely more exploring to be done, and Tahoe, Yosemite, and wine country aren’t far away either. Beaches with surfing and coastal camping are also less than an hour away—it’s everything I love about California all in one place!

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m looking forward to being active in the veterans’ club, which is a great resource both for active duty or veteran applicants and current student vets alike. I’m also thrilled that within our class we’ve already started multiple group chat threads for like-minded students to meet up. I’m a member of the swimming, bikes and brews, surf, board games, runners, tailgate, and ski/snowboarding groups. It’s been a fun way to meet new classmates, explore, and organize some great group workouts.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?  The Navy was an excellent springboard into the workforce. The experiences I had during my time on active duty were incredibly unique and special. I was challenged beyond what I ever thought I could handle, learned more across more areas than I ever imagined I would, travelled the world, and worked alongside the most tenacious, good-natured people I can think of. However, I knew the point I’d reached in my Navy career warranted a career shift. I felt I’d done the most exciting, rewarding jobs I could in the Navy, and was ready to develop new skills that will serve me well in my next career. The basic finance, business operations, accounting, and process optimization skills I will learn in business school will fill the knowledge gaps I have as a science undergrad, and the top-notch career services and networking opportunities at Haas will help me refine what I want to do upon graduation. It made sense for me both from the perspective of gaining the knowledge and benefiting from the full-time MBA experience.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? Haas’ yearly employment reports are publicly available on the MBA website, and reading through them gave me a sense of what I can reasonably expect to earn in a job post-MBA, broken down by sector. While there are many viable paths in life, I knew this path would pay dividends down the road—and it’s something I am genuinely excited about doing. It’s not only a wicket to hit, it’s two years I think I will really savor!

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Stanford GSB and MIT Sloan.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? Attending admissions events was the single best way to determine my fit within various programs, something I took very seriously. While location matters quite a lot to me, my fit at Haas was what ultimately led me to choose it over the other programs. Aside from attending as many admissions events as I could, I connected with the vets clubs at each school and spoke on the phone with as many current students as I could. They were very generous with their time and advice, and even helped read over my resume drafts before I applied. I recommend reaching out and connecting to the schools you’re interested in on as many levels as you can. After I’d been accepted, I expanded my reach and spoke with not only current students, but also alumni from each program to see what their perspectives were and if they’d changed several years out. When you’ve fully done due diligence in researching school cultures, you’ll know, because you’ll have a strong sense of each one.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? I think I have had many defining moments; choosing just one is difficult! What stands out, though, is my first six-month shipboard deployment to the Arabian Gulf on an aircraft carrier. The thought of six months at work on a ship was not only daunting, but sad! I had so much to leave behind. I couldn’t help but think about all the family events where I’d be missing out: friends’ weddings, birthdays, and even just running on the beach or surfing—doing the things I love. It was really difficult for me to accept my fate, but I had no choice. The ship was deploying, and the entire crew was going with it. Instead, I shifted my mindset and decided to focus on the growth I could undergo during that time. I focused on personal goals and practiced bettering myself instead of thinking about what I’d be missing out on, and found that there were many ways to find happiness, fulfillment, and grow friendships on that deployment. In hindsight, it was really good for me to have to face something I was afraid of and find ways to turn it into a positive experience.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I’d like to pursue a job as a project manager in the tech industry. However, the next two years will be an opportunity to learn more about what’s out there, to network, and to refine which sector within tech excites me most. While my background in optimizing and deploying unmanned underwater vehicles on a SEAL support team certainly drives my interest in tech, I’m not set on a specific company or sector at this point.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to be performing well at a fulfilling job alongside enthusiastic, ambitious coworkers.

Tiffany Tran

University of California Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“Environmental educator inspiring others to become advocates for the earth.”

Hometown: Long Beach, California

Fun Fact About Yourself: I spent a week in the Stanislaus National Forest with 16 other volunteers planting 2,470 trees across 18 acres of burned forestland.

Undergraduate School and Major: UC Berkeley, Environmental Science and Environmental Economics and Policy

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Annie’s (division of General Mills), Senior Sustainability Analyst

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Being honored as one of Greenbiz’s 30 Under 30 Sustainability Leaders is one of the biggest accomplishments of my career. Every year, the award is given to 30 under 30-year-old professionals from around the world who are creating a more sustainable future. My efforts at Annie’s—in significantly reducing the carbon footprint of our headquarters, bringing environmental education to our employees, and elevating our brand’s sustainability story through our marketing communication channels—were recognized with this award.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? What I appreciate the most about my classmates is that they are genuinely kind. Everyone has come to Haas with an open mind and is eager to listen to each other’s stories and support each other’s career goals. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of a community filled with caring people.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Berkeley Haas has an array of programs and centers focused on gender equality, sustainability, and social impact, all topics that are very important to me. Specifically, Haas’s Center for Responsible Business (CRB), which focuses on integrating environmentally and socially responsible practices into company business strategies and models, was a big part of my decision. As a sustainability professional, I wanted to attend a business school that had sustainability integrated into the student experience so that I could grow my expertise. The CRB does an amazing job building sustainability into the MBA curriculum and connecting students to mission-driven companies and professionals.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I look forward to organizing a group of MBAs to run the Berkeley Half Marathon together. In addition, I’m excited to play soccer at Berkeley through our MBA Soccer Club and intramural team.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I aspire to hold a leadership role where I can make direct business decisions and drive larger impact. To do this, I need to build my business acumen and build stronger management skills. Since I had no formal business education or training, I saw an MBA as the perfect opportunity for me to achieve my goals.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I’ve had a number of conversations with MBA alumni and students about their MBA experience. Every person that I spoke to regarded the MBA as a huge stepping stone to their career. The MBA brought forth new job and growth opportunities that were hard to come by without an MBA. In addition, I knew that the knowledge and the lasting friendships that I would gain would be invaluable parts to getting my MBA.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Stanford

How did you determine your fit at various schools? The best way that I was able to determine fit was through campus visits and conversations with the students and alumni. When I visited campuses, I relied on my gut to determine whether I could see myself at the school. When I reached out to students and alumni, I wanted to see whether they responded and were willing to chat with me. Every Haas student and alumni was excited to share their experiences, which allowed me to gauge the culture of the school.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Truly understanding my identity as a child of immigrants and as a first-generation high school and college student was a defining moment of my life. When I grew up, these aspects weighed heavily on me, in terms of embarrassment. I was afraid of what my peers would think of me when they learned that my parents were not from America and did not go to school. It wasn’t until college when I realized how these aspects actually positively shaped my life. My identity encouraged me to set high goals for myself and pursue opportunities that my parents did not have.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? After graduation, I’m hoping to travel for a few weeks. I have a list of countries, including Iceland, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland that I would like to visit. In addition, I would love to go on a volunteer trip focused on environmental restoration in the tropics.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I will hopefully be holding a senior management role at a company dedicated to driving positive impact.

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