Sharpen Skills, Celebrate, and Cheer at Homecoming

Gain insight on career management, partake in a Mexican fiesta, and watch the Bears take down the Trojans, all at the 2009 Haas Homecoming celebration on Saturday, Oct. 3. All Haas alumni, students, faculty, staff, family, and friends are invited.

The day begins at 11:00 a.m. with a panel discussion on "Managing Your Career in Challenging Times." Attendees will learn how to identify a viable new career path, develop a disciplined process for attaining professional goals, and leverage marketable skills and unique experiences.

Speakers who will share best practices include Susan Bernstein, MBA 94, a coach, author, and speaker on career and life transitions; Mark Coopersmith, MBA 86, Haas adjunct professor of entrepreneurship and innovation; Lauren M. Doliva, managing partner with executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles; Nancy Friedman, MBA 86, a leadership development consultant and executive coach; and Martha Gerhan, a 2004 graduate of the Berkeley-Columbia Executive MBA Program with more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing for technology companies.

Michael Katz, director of the Haas School’s Institute of Management, Innovation, and Organization, will then discuss the Berkeley-Haas innovation ecosystem and what Haas is doing to help other organizations improve their ability to innovate in a wide variety of ways. As director of the institute, Katz oversees several centers and programs at Haas, including the Management of Technology Program; the Lester Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation; and Haas@Work, the school’s applied innovation program in which students drive innovation in large organizations.

Homecoming celebrants will then join Dean Rich Lyons for a pre-game Mexican fiesta featuring live music and special activities for kids. Kick-off is at 5:00 p.m. for the Cal vs. USC match-up. Purchase advance tickets from the Cal Athletics Office and register for all other Haas Homecoming events through the Haas Alumni Network.

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