Haas Student Ambassadors

Peter Pang | MBA 24

Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

Pronouns: He/Him

Undergraduate University & Major(s): University of Waterloo, Mathematics / Accounting

Prior Industry: Data & Analytics Consulting

Future Industry: Mobility / Urban Planning tech

Haas Clubs: Transportation & Mobility Club (Co-President), MBA Association (this job!), Berkeley Energy & Resources Collaborative (BERC)

Favorite thing(s) to do in the Bay Area: Exploring new places and spaces in SF the Bay, playing at the dog park with my husky Luna, checking out the rich car culture here through meets and backroads drives

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: I met so many inspiring people focused on figuring out their place in the world and had so much fun through hikes, food, and wine at Days at Haas that it was hard to beat. My experience here haas (no pun intended) taken the blinders off of my worldview and career perspectives which only serves to reinforce that choice!

Ask Me About: Navigating a non-traditional recruiting path; Haas life with a very busy partner and dog; Making friends at other Berkeley schools through non-Haas courses; US vibe checks (NYC, North Carolina, Denver, Bay Area) moving around as an international

Esmanur Atasoy | MBA 24

Istanbul, Turkey

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Undergraduate University & Major(s): Istanbul Technical University & Industrial Engineering major & Economics minor

Prior Industry: Consulting, Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company, focused on LEAP practice (creating new ventures with our clients)

Future Industry: Tech/VC/Consulting

Haas Clubs: Tech Club, Mobility Club, Fintech Club, Venture Capital Club, Women in Leadership Club, Partners Club

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Hang out with HAAS friends & Visit SF beaches & Be amazed by Golden Gate views

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: I wanted to live in the Bay Area, California and I knew HAAS was at the center of technology innovation, uniquely positioned to provide students experience with startups, bigtech companies, and venture capitals. HAAS also has a large entrepreneurial network, providing students with many opportunities to test their entrepreneur hypothesis at class and in other environments, also providing venture investing through SkyDeck and UC Launch programs; which would be great exploration opportunities for me. Moreover, all the HAAS graduates I knew were explaining to me how all students are kind, passionate, and good people at their core, really thinking beyond themselves, having a vision to execute social good. 

Ask Me About: Consulting, relocating to a new country with your partner, adjusting to full-time school, international student experience, tech and VC recruiting, adjusting to USA culture with European/Middle Eastern sense

Schedule a virtual meeting with Esmanur »

Sudeshna Barman | MBA 24

Memphis, TN

Pronouns: she / her / hers

Undergraduate University & Major(s): UC Berkeley, Economics

Prior Industry: Economic consulting

Future Industry: Media & entertainment / Consumer packaged goods 

Haas Clubs: Digital Media & Entertainment Club (Co-President), Marketing Club, Wine Club, Food@Haas, South Asian Business Association

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Picking up surfing at Pacifica

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: To me, Haas stood out from other schools because of the small cohort size, tight-knit community, and amazing location in the Bay Area. I also felt confident in the incredibly high caliber of my future classmates and the strong social and professional support system for non-traditional career paths. Finally, students and alumni of Haas drive social change in many forms, whether that’s environmental sustainability; diversity, equity & inclusion; or corporate social responsibility, and it was very important to me to be a part of a mission-driven student body.

Ask Me About: Pivoting away from consulting; Recruiting for non-traditional industries; Clubs, academics, student life, and housing; Being a double bear

Schedule a virtual meeting with Sudeshna »

Alyssa D’Cunha | MBA 24

Toronto, Canada

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Undergraduate University & Major(s): Queen’s University, Mechanical & Materials Engineering

Prior Industry: Clean Energy & Engineering

Future Industry: Clean Energy Strategy

Haas Clubs: Women in Leadership (Conference Co-Chair), Berkeley Energy & Resources Collaborative (BERC), Haas Soccer Club, Redwoods@Haas

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Hiking and exploring new parts of the Bay Area

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: Everyone I spoke to during the admissions process was so supportive and giving of their time. They understood the magnitude of this decision and it really felt like they wanted to help me make sure that this was the best fit for me and my goals. In addition, as someone who’s very passionate about advocating for women in STEM, it was exciting to see the emphasis that they place on diversity, equity, and inclusion, through admissions, clubs, and classes.

Ask Me About: Energy, being a woman in male-dominated fields, adjusting to full-time school, the international student experience

Schedule a meeting with Alyssa »

PJ Hummelt | MBA 24

Portland, OR

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hometown: Portland, OR

Undergraduate University & Major(s): Santa Clara University, Economics and Data Analytics

Prior Industry: Data Analytics/Data Science in Real Estate 

Future Industry: Real Estate

Haas Clubs: Real Estate, Digital Media & Entertainment, Pickleball

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Trying all the incredible restaurants around town

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: I know you’ll be thinking, “Really, again?”, but the defining leadership principles were truly what tipped the scale towards Haas for me.  In particular, “Confidence Without Attitude” strongly resonated as I was making my decision.  I knew that as I took risks and stepped outside of my comfort zone during business school, I wanted to be surrounded by others who embraced making mistakes, learning new things and having fun while doing it.  So far, my classmates have exceeded all my expectations!

Ask Me About: Applying to business school on the younger side, real estate at Haas, MBA vs. more specialized degree

Schedule a meeting with PJ »

Rishi Sangani | MBA 24

San Diego, CA

Pronouns: he/him/his

Undergraduate University & Major(s): Pomona College; Mathematical Economics Major, Mathematics Minor

Prior Industry: Human Resources (two jobs - one in consulting and one in-house in the entertainment industry)

Future Industry: Short-term consulting; Long-term Human Resources

Haas Clubs: Haas Consulting Club, Haas Real Estate Club, Haas Food Club, Haas Wine Club, South Asian Business Association

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Explore restaurants - the food scene does not disappoint

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: I ultimately want to stay in the Human Resources field. I found Haas’ commitment to DE&I in all aspects of the MBA life to be the deepest and most sincere (classroom learnings, culture, career focus, club focus, etc.) Haas was the place where I felt I grow the most both professionally and personally

Ask Me About: The Bay Area (lived and worked here), Consulting, Human Resources field; Adjusting from work life to becoming a full-time student again; general anxiety about the MBA path

Schedule a meeting with Rishi » 

Ariana Simone | MBA/MPH 24

Larchmont, NY

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Undergraduate University & Major(s): Georgetown University, Healthcare Management & Policy

Prior Industry: Healthcare Public Sector Consulting at Deloitte and Growth Strategy at MIND 24-7, a mental health startup

Future Industry: Healthcare payor/provider, with a focus in women’s & queer health needs

Haas Clubs: Q@Haas (Co-President), Haas Healthcare Association (VP Admissions), Healthcare Conference Planning Committee, Mental Health Case Competition (Google x Haas), Women in Leadership (WiL)

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Farmers markets, day trips to national parks & beaches, thrift shopping, concerts at the Fox Theater

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: Through conversations with current students, I immediately felt its welcoming and inclusive community, resonated with students’ larger social impact and mission-driven career goals, Berkeley’s proximity to nature and possibility for outdoor living, Bay Area startup culture being ripe for healthcare innovation, energized by the conversations that were happening at Haas around diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging

Ask Me About: Making a cross-country move, navigating the bschool process as an LGBTQ+ person, being a dual degree student, coming to bschool from a government/public sector/social impact setting

Schedule a virtual meeting with Ariana »

Briana Steele | MBA 24

Durham, NC

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Undergraduate University & Major(s): North Carolina A&T State University, Industrial and Systems Engineering

Prior Industry: Tech Consulting

Future Industry: Tech

Haas Clubs: Black Business Student Association (VP Social), Haas Tech Club, Data Science Club, Haas Startup Squad

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Brunch & wine country trips

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: Based on my interest in tech and desire to join a small but prestigious program, Haas became a top contender. But as I interacted with current students, alumni, faculty, etc. it became clear that Haasies were “my people”. Everyone was down to earth but also really showed up for others. The Haas culture is strong and everyone mindfully contributes to keep it going.

Ask Me About: Relocating from the east coast, The Consortium, transition as an HBCU alum, applying as a consultant, equitable tech products, AI, recruiting for tech, or anything else you want :)

Schedule a meeting with Briana »

Tom Vosburgh | MBA/MPH 24

Durham, NC

Pronouns: he/him/his

Undergraduate University & Major(s): Duke University, Economics & Global Health

Prior Industry: Tech (business operations); healthcare (strategy & policy)

Future Industry: Healthtech

Haas Clubs: Haas Technology Club (Co-President); Q@Haas (VP Communications); Haas Healthcare Association; Redwoods@Haas 

Favorite thing to do in the Bay Area: Biking along the Bay trails, exploring the local food scene, skiing in Tahoe 

How did you know Haas was the right place for you: During the entire admissions process, from attending my first Haas info session to deciding between schools, Haasies went above and beyond to answer my questions or connect me with someone who could. Furthermore, everyone I spoke with raved about the school’s warm, collaborative culture, characteristics that I wanted in a school. I knew at Haas I would have the opportunity to challenge myself in an ambitious yet supportive environment

Ask Me About: Coming from a liberal arts background, explaining a non-linear career path, comparing the Bay Area to LA or the East Coast, LGBTQ+ life at Haas, health equity, being a dual degree student

Schedule a meeting with Tom »