Haas Student Ambassadors

Charlie Yates | MBA 23

Greenbrae, CA

Pronouns: he/him/his

Undergraduate University & Major(s): Pitzer College, Psychology and Science, Technology, & Society

Prior Industry: Healthcare Technology

Future Industry: Healthcare Management Consulting

Haas Clubs: Consortium, Consulting Club, Haas Healthcare Association (Co-President), Latinx Club, Latin American and Hispanic Business Association, MBAA (VP of Admissions), Q@Haas, Wine Club

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Going into San Francisco with little-to-no agenda and stumbling upon hidden gems, from small parks to hole-in-the-wall restaurants to great coffee shops!

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: I knew Haas was right for me when I talked directly with students. I’d schedule 30 minute meetings but all of them usually went over an hour because of the in-depth and thoughtful conversations we had! Knowing how transformative these two years can be for my classmates and I as we all change industries, roles, functions, or even our life goals, I wanted to be with the people I connected with the most.

Ask Me About: Applying as a first-generation and Latinx student, MBA/MPH concurrent degree program, Consortium (Round 2), Management Leadership for Tomorrow (PD program), consulting pre-MBA recruiting, moving from the Midwest, health equity and social determinants of health, DE&I in the workplace

Afraz Khan | MBA 23

Cerritos, CA

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hometown: Cerritos, CA

Undergraduate University & Major(s): New York University, International Relations

Prior Industry: government (NYC)/non-profit (ACLU)/social entrepreneurship (wedding officiant service)

Future Industry: Strategy Consulting

Haas Clubs: Net Impact (Co-President), Center for Equity, Gender & Leadership (Student Advisory Board), Center for Responsible Business (Student Advisory Board), The Consortium, Muslim Business Club, South Asian Business Association

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: the incredible hikes literally everywhere you go

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: I was deciding between Haas and another school and initially thought the other school was a better fit. However, once I started speaking to Haasies, I truly saw the “Beyond Yourself” principle in action. Students not only went above and beyond in answering my questions, interview prepping with me and connecting me to other classmates, but they too shared a vision of utilizing business as a force for societal good. 

There is a collaborative and supportive culture that runs deep here. 

Ask Me About: Applying to MBA programs from a non-profit/government background, consulting, social impact/racial justice careers, building your own social enterprise, moving from east coast to west coast (best coast), The Consortium, maintaining a faith/spiritual practice while in school.

Schedule a 20-minute meeting with Afraz »

Konso Mbakire | MBA 23

Jinja, Uganda (ethnically) & Nairobi, Kenya (born and raised)

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Undergraduate University & Major(s): Amherst College, Math and Economics

Prior Industry: Consulting

Future Industry: Consulting, Academia, DEI

Haas Clubs: Black Business Students Association, Women in Leadership, Wine Club

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Museums, brunch, parks, bakeries

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: Almost anyone will tell you some version of the Haas Defining Principles and the people, and I am no different. I had a mentor who went to Haas and when she heard I was thinking about business school she said (in more words) that Haas was the perfect place for me. As I developed my essays and overall application, it became more and more clear to me that she was right!

Ask Me About: Coming from a liberal arts background, applying as a consultant, being an international student / specifically from Africa, incorporating a passion for DEI not in a DEI-specific role (at Haas and beyond), balancing a partner not at business school with business school.

Matt Solowan | MBA 23

Long Island, NY

Pronouns: they/them/theirs

Undergraduate University & Major(s): University of Southern California, Economics & Italian

Prior Industry: Marketing / Brand Management in Beauty

Future Industry: Consulting

Haas Clubs: Q@Haas (VP of Careers & Alumni), Center for Equity, Gender & Leadership (Student Advisory Board), Consulting Club, Marketing Club

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Riding around on my scooter - living my Italian fantasy

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: I (virtually) attended the Diversity Symposium and walked away feeling energized by the conversations that were happening at Haas around diversity, equity & inclusion and like I could find a welcoming and supportive community here.

Ask Me About: Applying to Haas as a younger-than-average applicant, making a cross-country move (multiple times), recruiting for consulting, navigating b-school as an LGBTQ+ person, scouting the best vegan spots in Berkeley.

Schedule a 20-minute meeting with Matt »

Miranda Ferguson | MBA 23

Dayton, OH/Indianapolis, IN

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Undergraduate University & Major(s): Miami University, Software Engineering

Prior Industry: Tech at a Pharmaceutical Company

Future Industry: Digital Health

Haas Clubs: Haas Healthcare Association, Haas Technology Club, Women in Leadership, Haas Improv Club, Haas Partners Club, Redwoods@Haas

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Finding new restaurants and breweries (especially if they are dog friendly!)

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: Every person I met at Haas went above and beyond to help me throughout the application and decision process. That support showed me how truly special this community at Haas is. Additionally, I was very excited about the location and proximity to start-ups, beaches, mountains, and Napa.

Ask Me About: Being a first generation college student, moving across the country, starting grad school at the same time as my partner, Forte Fellowships, dog friendly places.

Schedule a 20-minute meeting with Miranda »

Neva Bowers | MBA 23

Silver Spring, MD/Memphis, TN

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Undergraduate University & Major(s): University of Maryland, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Prior Industry: Education

Future Industry: People Operations, Human-Centered Design

Haas Clubs: The Consortium, Innovation/Design Club,  Beer Club

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Hiking and trying out Bay Area breweries

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: Every Haas student that I spoke to while applying went beyond themselves to offer support, give advice, and encourage me through the application process. Their kindness and generosity to a complete stranger told me everything I needed to know about the culture here.

Ask Me About: Out-of-left-field pivots, The Consortium, moving cross-country with my partner and dogs, less common career paths.

Schedule a 20-minute virtual meeting with Neva »

Pearly Khare | MBA 23

Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, India

Pronouns: he/him/his

Undergraduate University & Major(s): Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering at BITS Pilani, India

Prior Industry: Consulting

Future Industry: Consulting / Tech

Haas Clubs: Tech Club, Consulting Club

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Brunches and hikes

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: While shortlisting business schools, proximity to the bay area, tech focus and a strong community were my key criteria. But when I started talking to people from different schools, Haas’ distinctive culture stood out as the clear differentiator! Haas is one of the few business schools that lives by its defining principles. When talking to students, alumni and admissions, I felt a sense of warmth and belonging. I knew that at Haas I would find accomplished yet humble and supportive peers and a welcoming community.

Ask Me About: International student experience, student life at Haas, recruiting for consulting and tech

Petra Nelson | MBA 23

Park Ridge, IL

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Undergraduate University & Major(s): Brandeis University, Anthropology, Spanish & Latin American Studies

Prior Industry: Nonprofit/Financial Services

Future Industry: FinTech

Haas Clubs: FinTech Club (VP of Conference), Net Impact Club (VP of Fellowships), Tech Club, Wine Club

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Attending Haasie potlucks, watching sunsets from the Hills, day trips to Napa

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: Everyone I interacted with during the admissions process, from current students to admissions staff, were caring, motivated and genuinely invested in helping me achieve my goals. They also confirmed that Social Impact is embedded into the culture and academics at Haas, which was a top priority for me when considering business schools.

Ask Me About: East-to-West Coast culture shock, adjusting to full-time school, being a “non-traditional” business school applicant.

Schedule a 20-minute virtual meeting with Petra »

Sam Moskal | MBA 23

Eau Claire, WI

Pronouns: he / him/ his

Undergraduate University & Major(s): University of Wisconsin, Chemical Engineering

Prior Industry: CPG Research & Development

Future Industry: CleanTech / Mobility 

Haas Clubs: Haas Tech Club, Transportation & Mobility Club, Berkeley Energy & Resources Collaborative, Redwoods@Haas

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Seeking out the best views of the Bay on my road bike, rating the best bakeries in SF, relaxing with friends at Dolores Park

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: Haas checked all of my boxes in terms of academics, organizations, and proximity to my target industries. What really set Haas apart were the interactions I had with students and alumni. I reached out to an HSA on a whim early in my MBA journey, expecting a one-off chat. Over the course of a year, they helped me refine my essays, connect with other students, and patiently answered all of my questions. I also attended a (virtual) class, and was blown away by both the level of respect and depth of conversations I saw. Haas is truly an amazing place!

Ask Me About: Pivoting function and industry at the same time, how to rebrand yourself,  the best cycling routes in the Bay Area, navigating the waitlist, the intersection of technology and environmental impact.