James Martin, of Pacific Grove, Calif. See MBA 1960.

Timothy Carlson, of Danville, Calif., reflects on his youth growing up in Berkeley as a first-generation college student. “My father owned an independent auto repair shop. Many esteemed faculty and legendary coaches—Ky Ebright (crew), Brutus Hamilton (track and field), and Mario Savio of the Free Speech Movement—were among his valued customers.

“At an early age, I developed a passion for driving/building special interest cars and attending car racing events. A few years ago, I learned that Ned Spieker, our generous four-year undergraduate program benefactor, was racing his 1957 Maserati and his 1971 Ferrari in historic auto-racing venues. Last summer, I was able to track Ned down at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey County. Among other things, I thanked him for his forward-looking major gift, which will help similar future generations of Haas students from modest beginnings realize their potential. (Note the temporary headgear replacing Ned’s crash helmet as he stages his beautiful classic Ferrari for the next race.)” Shown: Carlson (right) and Ned Spieker, BS 66.

Carl Jacobs, of Woodland Hills, Calif., writes, “I moved back to the area of Los Angeles where I had previously lived for 40 years after living in West Los Angeles for over three years. I helped organize a family reunion this past summer in Cape Cod for 23 family members, 1 to 80 years old, who live in Los Angeles; Boston; New York; Washington, D.C.; and Paris, France. For many, it was the first time they met some of the family.”

Gregg Solomon, of New York City, shares, “In January 2024, my wife, Leslie, and I became grandparents—Isaac was born to Daniel and Sasha and lives in Maryland. In October, Leslie and I spent a long weekend in the Bay Area. Highlights included watching the Bears rout Oregon State with a dozen fraternity brothers and their families and canvassing in Emeryville the next day with our son Matthew, who in November was elected to the Emeryville City Council in a highly competitive race.” Shown: Gregg Solomon, Leslie Solomon, and Matthew Solomon.

Steve Peletz, of San Francisco, see MBA 1999.

Wendye Robbins, of Boston, shares, “In June 2023, I stepped in as CEO of a private Cambridge-based precision oncology company after a leadership transition. This required me to set up home in the Back Bay, where I spend the majority of my time. My husband is good-naturedly doing the majority of the commuting between the coasts.” My husband, two daughters, and I traveled to Japan over the December holidays to visit our son, a naval officer with the Seventh Fleet.” Shown: Wendye Robbins (back row left) with her family.

Will Edmonson, of West Hollywood, Calif., says, “I continue to practice law and primarily handle litigation matters for individuals and small and midsize businesses. Before starting my own practice, I was a partner at Doll Amir & Eley LLP and an associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Previously, I served as a law clerk in the federal district court and the federal appeals court. I offer big law firm experience and talent at affordable rates. Please feel free to contact me at 424-248-9581 or [email protected] if I can help you with anything.”

Libby Leffler, of Oakland, Calif., founder and CEO of the online prenup startup First, raised $4 million for the new company.

Abdullah Nezami, of San Ramon, Calif., writes, “After working at First Republic Bank for nearly 14 years right out of Haas, 2023 was a rough year as my favorite bank and employer was gobbled up by another bank. Such disruptions typically present opportunities, and I’ve had the pleasure of working at Citizens Private Bank for the last 15+ months. The build has been challenging and remarkably satisfying, welcoming old and new clients.

“My wife and I welcomed our second daughter, Ariana, in 2024.” Shown: Melody Li (daughter), Abdullah, Ariana Nezami, and Lihua Tian.

Rosalie Ennes, of New York City, announces, “I’m a first-time author! After launching my consulting business in 2023, I wanted to extend my impact even further. What better way to do that than a book—what some call a $20 mentor and a great deal. Build a Beautiful Business con Confianza walks entrepreneurs and business owners through how to become friends with risk to grow, scale, and impact. Told through a storytelling lens, it’s filled with cautionary tales of what can go wrong and how you can avoid it. By the end of the book, you’ll know exactly how to use risk management as a powerful lever for success. I can’t wait until it’s in everyone’s hands who needs it!”

Diana Rothschild, of San Francisco, shares, “After three great years scaling DoorDash’s New Verticals and incredible summer travels with our girls, I most wanted a strategy-focused role with a seasoned leadership team and high mission-impact in education or climate tech. And in September, I got to join College Board to tackle opportunities involving change management and thought leadership. Right now, I’m focused on SAT and reducing chronic absenteeism. My career started in education, and I founded NextKids to combine coworking and early childhood education, so going back to those roots feels right—especially when education is under fire and our girls (fifth and eighth grade) are starting to think about APs and the SAT. Happy to explore education and assessment topics with fellow Haas Bears!”

Aron Schindler, of Sydney, Australia, updates, “I’ve taken on a new role with a boutique private equity fund. If you are in Sydney, I would love to connect with any fellow Bears!”

Jesse Ward, of San Diego, says, “I was recently asked to lead a preventative maintenance project for the 13-floor, 170-room resort hotel where I work. We inspect each room and repair what’s below standard, floor by floor, helping to minimize customer complaints and increase return rates. A far cry from what I studied at Haas, but I’m learning what it means to be a trusted servant and not a boss who governs. I stay in my lane and do my work, such as check toilets, tubs, air conditioning units, sliding door operations, and plumbing. It’s helping me see new perspectives. Hotels really take good care of their employees—there’s always a ton of great food at the cafeteria! And I’m always laughing with my co-workers while learning how to troubleshoot a breaker or heating element. Before, tech sales for BlackBerry in San Ramon was a dead-end job; now I ride my scooter to a resort hotel and spa and maintain a huge property full of families, ducks, and talking parrots. This company takes great care of me.

“In addition, I volunteer as treasurer at a few spiritual groups I’m a part of, tracking the money we raise, paying bills, and sending money to our parent offices. And I reimburse our coffee man and cake lady, who supply our weekly meetings. It’s simple, but I look forward to serving and applying my leadership principles here.”

Aumunique Borja, of Los Angeles, updates, “Buying a second property and living my lifelong dream of becoming a real estate investor.”

Anmol Bal, of New York City, announces, “After helping build Fanatics’ new Sportsbook from launch ($0) to third in the market in under a year, I’m now moving to StubHub to work in strategy/product, focusing on ticket fulfillment after sellers fall through. I’ve spent the past three months traveling to London, Lisbon, Munich, Berlin, Zurich, and Madrid while
working remotely!”

James Martin, of Pacific Grove, Calif., shares, “I entered UC Berkeley in 1949 and will be 94 in February, so I have worked long enough! After 28 years with Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp, I had several years as president of ABB Trading, and later as a director of CII Carbon. Today, I am just a failure at golf!

“My wife, Helen, died on Oct. 4, 2020, after 66 years together, so the past four years have been a bit tough—she was a fantastic person! I now live alone, and a great deal of my time is spent driving to medical appointments, but thanks to family and friends, I still enjoy life in PG.”

45th Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

Deary Duffie, a retired human resources executive and executive and leadership coach, recently launched his second co-written book, Nurturing the Soul (Pixel Publishing). In a LinkedIn post announcing the book, Duffie says, “In my chapter, I share some consulting and coaching experiences that empower you to cultivate holistic self-care practices. Expanding on my first co-authored book, Living with Intention, I provide approaches to creating healthy, personal learning environments, overcoming self-sabotaging behaviors, and examining common barriers to holistic self-care, including resistance to change.” Learn more or purchase the book: haas.org/Duffie.

Richard Reeder, of Oakland, Calif., writes, “No more career—retired and loving it. In the process of downsizing from a condo too big for me. Came back from a month in Europe a week ago. New areas, terrific sights, a week in Andalucía with
Cal Travel.”

40th Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

Stephen Mayer, of San Mateo, Calif., announces, “I started two accounting firms, Burr Pilger Mayer in 1986 (now called BPM), where I was CEO from 1987 to 2012, and SD Mayer & Associates, started in 2013. We just completed two mergers and now have about 100 employees. We do tax, audit, outsource accounting, consulting, and wealth management. I recently turned 70 and completed a half ironman as well as my 70th backpacking trip.”

Ralph Garcia Jr., of San Mateo, Calif., shares, “My youngest son, James, has a Bee Gees tribute band called You Should Be Dancing (bayareabeegees.com). They perform all over California, including at the Cornerstone in Berkeley last July.” Shown: Ralph Garcia, James Garcia (son), Danny Duclos, and Carl Biehn.

35th Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

Murali Gomatam, of Saratoga, Calif., writes, “Recently, I have been focused on bringing Generative AI capabilities to our healthcare customers and prospects. Our first granddaughter is now 1 year old! My wife and I are enjoying the amazing experience of being grandparents!”

William Vederman passed away in November. For much of his career, Vederman, an MD, was the owner and CEO of Sunrise Health Medical Group. Later, he was a consultant interested in angel investing and was part of the Berkeley Angel Network. He also previously served as president of the East Bay Alumni Chapter.

Bruce Deaner, of Kasama, Ibaraki, Japan, comments, “My sons and I recently founded SOUZOU Japan, a consultancy whose mission is to find and support the successful expansion of unique small Japanese businesses. Our first client is the world’s oldest sake brewery, run by the same family since 1141—the current sake master is the 55th generation and an extremely innovative craftsman. Classmates Hiro Yamamura and Atsushi Toda, as well as Atsushi’s spouse, Yoko, joined a tasting (shown), and all Haas community members are welcome to contact me at [email protected] if they are visiting Japan and interested in experiencing this one-of-a-kind offering.” Shown: (L-R) Atsushi Toda, Yoko Toda, Hiro Yamamura, Bruce Deaner, Gen-Uemon Sudo, Thomas Deaner, and Kyoko Deaner.

30th Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

Kassim Chaudry, of Metuchen, NJ, shares, “I started intensive sommelier training at the Institute of Culinary Education. By March 2025, I will receive a certificate and the opportunity to sit for the Level 1 Sommelier Exam. Learning about the wines of the world can be hard work!

“Besides my involvement with the Berkeley Haas Alumni Network in New York City, I continue mentoring computer science and business students at my undergraduate alma mater. Additionally, I’ve joined the Cal Mentor Collective, which coordinates the same community for Haas undergrads. Both activities have been a pure joy and enlightening. The young people I’ve been paired with on both coasts have me encouraged that the next generation of students are hardworking and eager to enter the workforce to make a positive difference.” Shown: Kassim Chaudry (front right, white shirt) at the New York City Chapter’s holiday party.

Heidi Hofer writes, “Thoroughly enjoying retirement three years in, especially the opportunity to travel! [My] 2024 included Patagonia, Glacier National Park/Alberta, Galapagos, and Peru, capped by our son’s December wedding in Portland. Next up, Iceland in February for the Northern Lights.”

Robert Leland, of Los Altos Hills, Calif., announces, “After nearly 20 years, I moved to become an independent financial advisor via LPL. I should have done this a long time ago. I love being independent and managing my time and destiny. My office in San Mateo feels like a comfy living room rather than a corporate boardroom. I still love doing financial planning especially for those closing in on retirement. Let me know how I can help! I took my family to the Olympics in Paris this past summer. It was my seventh Olympic games, and it was fabulous! It was great to be with extended family for a whole two weeks. Next, LA?”  Shown: Leland (right) with his family at the Paris Olympics.

Helena Pechaver Starc, of Oakland, Calif., writes, “I have thoroughly enjoyed leading customer success and executive engagement programs (executive  briefing centers, executive sponsorship, customer advisory board, online communities) the past 20 years for AWS, Salesforce, Zendesk, Cisco, and EMC and look forward to consulting in these areas going forward.

“Haas legacy! Happy to share that our children have absorbed the Defining Leadership Principles: Two are in private equity after undergrad at our sister school, Columbia University, the third just started law school, and all three actively support the American Cancer Society. Especially exciting is that our eldest is an incoming Haas MBA! Go Bears!” Shown: Starc (center) with her family.

Ellen Grosshans Galvin, of Portland, Ore., announces, “I’m thrilled to share that The Daily Connector: 366 Ways to Galvanize Your Life with Better Relationships, the book I co-authored with my business partner and husband, Patrick Galvin, has been published, along with its daily companion journal. These works represent the distillation of more than a decade of coaching and consulting, offering practical tools to help people build stronger, more meaningful relationships. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how readers are using these resources to create real, lasting connections in their personal and professional lives.” More info at haas.org/Galvin.

Mitchel Harad, of San Francisco, writes, “Swept up in the spirit of the #Calgorithm!” Chris Heerin, Sabina Yoon, Mitchel Harad, and Chris Moore cheer on Cal against Miami.”

Steve Peletz, of San Francisco, celebrates, “I just became a grandpa to a healthy baby boy, and I continue to film underwater for three documentary films!”

Allen Schoonmaker, of Hong Kong, comments, “Busy running my startup focused on HRTech in Hong Kong, now actively expanding into Southeast Asia. Our first overseas market is Thailand, which is a fascinating business environment, where we look forward to launching our new platform this spring!

“My wife and I are enjoying being empty nesters, with our son in his second year at University of Chicago majoring in applied and computational mathematics (future quant!). Our daughter is now in her third year at Phillips Academy at Andover. We are gearing up for college applications once again! Outside of schooling, my wife, Jenn, is playing competitive tennis in Hong Kong, and I am active as always in fitness and running!” Shown: Allen and Jenn with kids Alyssa and Alex.

Tanya Shaw Steinhofer, of Mill Valley, Calif., writes, “Julie Gutzwiller and I were thrilled to attend the inauguration of Rich Lyons as chancellor of UC Berkeley! I also enjoyed catching up with classmates at our 25th reunion in April. Finally, I cheered on the Cal football team (and my friend’s nephew, No. 10 Teddye Buchanan) at the Cal vs. Miami game in October. Go Bears!”

25th Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

Stephen Coughlin, of Falls Church, Va., announces, “We finally moved after 15 years of thinking about it—but only two miles away and still in Falls Church. We have plenty of space for guests and would love visitors if anyone is ever in the D.C. area.”

Devan Cross, of Pleasant Hill, Calif., updates, “I am happy to share that I recently accepted the full-time CEO position at Bi-Bett, a local nonprofit provider of substance use disorder treatment services. It is a special organization whose mission aligns with my values, and we are truly able to make a lifesaving impact to those we serve. I appreciate your support and generosity during my job search, and if I can return the favor in any way, please let me know.”

Geoff Wolfe, of Alamo, Calif., says, “Created a software development group in 2023 based in Costa Rica and now have 40+ team members.

“My son, whom I carried across the stage at my Haas graduation (shown), graduated from Cal in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in history. My daughter started last fall as an undergraduate at Washington studying environmental science.”

20th Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

Joling Mew, of San Francisco, shares, “Since retiring, I’ve found myself pursuing creative outlets and other aspirations long set aside. I recently published Ninety Peaks: Exploring the San Francisco Bay Area Through Its Summits (Amazon: a.co/d/hsec3u2), a guidebook that explores the peaks on the Sierra Club’s “Nifty Ninety” list. The book is based on my own experience reaching each one. I want to inspire and help others discover the area we all call home through these high points. Combining my long-held passion for travel with my newfound writing bug, I’ve been dipping my toes into the world of blogging (intrepidrover.com). In addition to hiking and writing, I’m learning Italian (my fourth language) and am in the early stages of planning a multi-month (possibly multi-year) overland journey on the Pan-American Highway. I hope to see you on the trail or on one of my next adventures!”

Julien Decot, of London, UK, updates, “I have been at Intuit in London for two years, after six years running ads partnerships for EMEA at Facebook/Meta. We are building a partner ecosystem from scratch for Intuit while keeping strong ties to the Bay Area (I go there three or four times a year). I have been on the board of Globaldata for two years (a UK-listed company focused on business information). More recently, I became an LP at a new VC fund (Teampact Ventures) focused on climate tech and bringing lots of professional athletes to co-invest with us. Family is very settled in London. Our two kids, now 9 and 15, take advantage of the proximity to France to spend quality time with our extended family. Most of the time, you’ll see me cycling around London and enjoying football/soccer matches.” Shown: Decot riding bikes with family.

Berna Geylani, of San Mateo, Calif., announces, “After two decades of scaling revenue engines across startups and Fortune 100 companies,

I’ve experienced firsthand the pivotal moments where companies either break through or plateau. Having supported many founders, I intimately understand the challenges of scaling—the sleepless nights over marketing campaigns, the pressure of growth targets, and the complexity of aligning teams. This journey has inspired me to launch my advisory practice, specializing in guiding SMBs from $20M to $100M+ through proven strategies that transform marketing departments into predictable revenue generators. What energizes me is working with growth-stage companies at their critical moments—when they have product-market fit but need expertise to scale efficiently. If you’re a fellow alum leading a company with $15M+ in revenue and ready to double your growth, let’s connect to discuss your path forward.

“Second chapter in my life—I am engaged!” Shown: Geylani and Russell Mclean.

Renu Motwani, of Newark, Calif., comments, “2024 was a whirlwind of professional and personal milestones. Professionally, I have been focused on building AI-powered tools that help enterprises drive productivity but in a socially responsible way. Leading this effort has involved countless discussions, iterations, and late nights, but it’s rewarding to see the tangible impact of these solutions—not just for businesses but also for our broader communities.

“Personally, I ran for Newark City Council—a deeply rewarding but equally demanding experience. I felt both the weight of the journey and the energy of community support. While the outcome didn’t lead me to a seat in the city council, the process has been transformative, teaching me about resilience, connection, and the importance of showing up for the causes I care about. 2024 was a year of renewed growth, and I’m excited to see what’s next!”

Randy Reese, of Chicago, announces, “The company I founded in 2007, Chapter11Dockets.com, has been acquired by Stretto, a market-leading legal services and technology firm. After building Chapter 11 Dockets into the leading provider of precedent research and related resources for the corporate restructuring community, I look forward to joining Stretto and continuing to drive innovation in our market segments.”

15th Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

Stacie Frerichs, of Davis, Calif., shares, “We had an excellent reunion with Juan Paul (JP) Gossweiler and his wife, Eugenia Ramos (Cal PhD, microbiology), while in Uruguay! Shown: Stacie, Eugenia, JP, and Lucas Frerichs.

Janine Lee, of Alameda, Calif., co-authored her first book and bestseller—Unstoppable: Rise of Female Global Leaders, available on Amazon. Read her Harvard Business Review essay “Breaking Down Barriers for Women of Color in Tech” at haas.org/Lee1. She also published a LinkedIn Learning course, “Leading DEIB Change: A Methodology” (haas.org/Lee2). She was recognized as a Marquis Who’s Who 2024 Honored Listee and is in her 10th year teaching in Haas’ EWMBA program.

10th Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

Brandon Middleton, of Palo Alto, Calif., shares, “I’m still leading a team at AWS focused on Sales/GTM for customers building with GenAI technologies. I teamed up with Mike Belicose to lead the curriculum buildout of an applied AI concentration for an edtech startup called Campus.edu. We’re looking to democratize and deliver high-quality education to community college students aiming to improve outcomes for themselves and their families.

“Took an amazing family vacation to Hawaii and had fun swimming, hiking, cooking, and appreciating the sunsets.” Shown: Brandon with wife, Uwimana (right), and children Malaika, Christian, and Maxwell.

Jack Song, of San Francisco, was recently appointed as the first-ever CMO and producer at Flipbird, an award-winning creative agency and film production house. He now oversees the creation of brand videos and original films. He’s currently producing two feature-length documentaries: one about a major U.S. nonprofit, featuring civic leaders and world-renowned R&B artists, and another spotlighting a famous poet while offering a glimpse into Cuban daily life. Prior to Flipbird, Jack had designed marketing campaigns for over 150 films and built global brand and communications functions for startups like Lime and Hashdex. He’s currently VP of the San Francisco Film Commission, appointed by former Mayor London Breed.

Sean MacMannis, of San Francisco, writes, “In 2022, I stepped away from my head of marketing role to explore a portfolio career. Since then, I’ve worked with blockchain and creator economy startups, and more recently started helping others transition from corporate roles to independent careers with diversified income streams. My wife, Cat, and I welcomed baby Bowen in April 2024. Our baby joins siblings Arthur (10) and Maisey (8).”

5th Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

Aditi Bhandari, of Houston, announces, “I’ve started a strategy consultancy for consumer brands called Blur. After working in brand management for PepsiCo post-Haas and before that for Target, I took the leap to go on my own a year ago. Blur works with Fortune 100 companies and their agencies, VC and PE funds on their portfolio companies, and startup founders. The best time to bring us in is at points of inflection: launching a new product, entering a new market, targeting a new audience, or trying a new consumer channel (like podcasts or brick & mortar retail). I’d love to connect with other Haasies who have been consulting independently or started consultancies! Looking for all the mentorship and guidance I can get—Students Always!”

Deepak Patnala, of Alameda, Calif., reflects, “When I made the unconventional decision to step away from my MBA at Haas after my first year and leave behind the comfort of life in the Bay Area, many had their doubts. My goal was to become one of the founding partners at Lumenci. It’s been quite a journey—moving between countries and building a company from the ground up. I built teams in marketing, operations, delivery, and finance, all while navigating compliance, business development, and employee management. Along the way, we’ve grown to a team of over 100. During this time, I also faced two personal losses and celebrated the birth of our wonderful son.

“What began as a bold idea to streamline alternate assets’ due diligence has now evolved into a mission to redefine how monetization is approached—thanks to a new partnership with VSS Capital Partners and Century Equity Partners. I’m grateful to Haas and UC Berkeley for their unwavering patience, support, and the opportunities they’ve provided. Their encouragement allowed me to complete my MBA amid the chaos of startup growing pains and the pandemic.”

1st Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

Tori Gorman, of San Jose, Calif., shares, “On graduation day, May 17, 2024, instead of crossing the stage, I traded my graduation gown for a hospital gown and welcomed Harper Grace Williams to our family.” Shown: Tori (center) with husband, Matthew Williams, and kids, Cecilia and Harper Williams.

20th Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

Colin Schmidt, of San Francisco, celebrates, “I’m proud to share that our Field of Dreams initiative launched in Oakland this fall. We transformed a massive asphalt playground into a vibrant, safe, green turf sport field at Brookfield Elementary in East Oakland. Asphalt is for cars, not kids!” See it at  youtu.be/OjlhakllsP8.

“We are celebrating nearly 25 years living in San Francisco. Three kids. Two in college (Williams and Claremont McKenna) and one a senior in high school (applying to Berkeley and other architecture programs).” Shown: Schmidt and companion CeCe.

15th Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

10th Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

5th Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

1st Reunion
April 25–27, 2025

William Halal, of Washington, D.C., updates, “I funded a research project on stakeholder collaboration at my home institution, George Washington University. The project aims to help business managers and CEOs learn how to move up from ESG to a fully functioning collaborative system that integrates all stakeholders into a more productive whole—a ‘democratic enterprise.’”

Suman Ghorai, of Gurgaon, India, writes, “I am delighted to share an exciting new chapter in my professional journey, one deeply aligned with Haas’ Defining Leadership Principles of Question the Status Quo and Students Always. After directing power utilities and navigating the intricacies of the energy sector, I have transitioned to leading my own startup focused on AI/ML-based consultancy solutions. At Haas, we are encouraged to challenge conventional thinking and embrace lifelong learning, principles that shaped my perspective on artificial intelligence and machine learning applied to sustainability, efficiency, and customer engagement in the utilities sector. My entrepreneurial endeavor stems from the courage and intellectual curiosity nurtured during my time at Haas. I am excited to continue embodying the values of our community as I contribute to transformative change in an ever-evolving global landscape.”

Claudia Gallegos Seegrove, of Mexico City, shares, “After completing my Executive Program at Berkeley Haas, I launched a new project: tuterapia.com.mx, a platform focused on promoting people’s emotional and mental health. In 2024, I graduated as a logotherapist, existential analyst, and suicidologist. Currently, I am the CEO and founder of the platforms Tu Terapia and Tu Círculo, as well as a full-time therapist.”

John Hui, of New York City, reports that Twiage, the healthcare IT startup he co-founded, was acquired by TigerConnect in November. Twiage provides an award-winning communication solution enabling hospitals and EMS to accelerate emergency care. TigerConnect is a leading healthcare communication technology company co-founded by Brad Brooks, BA 92 (history). Hui will stay on as the general manager of Twiage. More at: haas.org/Hui.

Nnenna Kayode-Lawal, of Lagos, Nigeria, says, “It’s exciting to stay connected with the Berkeley Haas community and witness the diverse paths our alumni are taking. This year has been a period of growth and opportunity for me. I’ve embraced new challenges and leadership roles that have pushed me out of my comfort zone. A significant win has been balancing career growth with personal well-being, a journey I’m proud of. Professionally, I have been elevated to oversee eight pivotal sectors in the corporate banking world as a directorate head of energy, mining, and infrastructure, FMCG & conglomerates, financial institutions, telecoms, media & technology, heavy industrials, emerging markets, and private banking after previously managing only energy and technology teams.

“My recent master’s degree in public financial management focuses on public-private partnerships. I have also been recognized for my efforts with a Certificate of Honor from the Africa Women Impact Summit Lagos 2023, where I was specially recognized as the Inspirational Personality of the Year and also the anchor of a mentorship club set up for African women. My podcast, the ‘Love Walk Series,’ looks into life principles to success. These projects have helped me expand my leadership skills, technical expertise, and mentorship impact, particularly in youth and women development.

“On a personal note, I have spent valuable time with my family and prioritized self-care. I feel healthier and more connected than ever. Achieving harmony between my professional and personal life made 2024 a truly successful year.”

Madhumita Mantri, of Sunnyvale, Calif., announces, “I started a new job at Walmart Marketplace as staff product manager. As a side gig, I started building SynthRiskIQ, a GenAI-powered platform for generating synthetic data and assessing e-commerce seller risk. This project involves leveraging OpenAI’s RAG-based GPT-4 technology to create intelligent, scalable solutions. It’s been an exciting challenge, combining my skills in product management, data, and AI to address critical marketplace risks while driving innovation in synthetic data generation.”

Akram Aburas, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, writes, “Life on the professional front is quite promising. We have some large-scale projects with more upcoming in telecom and fiber. Our software ACES-HUB helps manage schoolwork and monitor student activities. Personally, my elder son will soon graduate from LMU. I may visit him at his graduation ceremony.”

Glen Murphy, of Sydney, shares, “After 22 years working and living overseas, 2025 will be the year I return to New Zealand. The past 11 of those years have been working for the New Zealand government’s trade promotion agency in China, North America, and currently Australia. My contract will finish midyear, and I look forward to the last few months in Sydney and then to returning home for new adventures!”

Priya MS, of Chennai, India, is a director of business development at a Singapore based startup, Ms Pristine Catch Value India Pvt Ltd. “We went to Rajasthan, India, to attend a wedding, flying to Jaipur from Chennai. Jaipur is called the pink city. We visited palaces and forts of the kings and the Jantar Mantar, the world’s largest stone sundial. We then traveled to Jaisalmer and camped in tents in the desert. We went paragliding, traveled on camels, and rode on sand dunes in ATVs and a Jeep. At our final destination, Udaipur, we attended a grand wedding ceremony in a palace and visited Shrinathji at Nathdwara. We went to Devi temple on a hill by a cable car. It was an amazing trip with 10 people.” Shown: Priya Ms photo collage of her and her family in Rajasthan, India.

Adebayo Dawodu, of Concord, Calif., updates, “I recently took on the exciting role of leading product and innovation at Lafia.io, where I’m driving the development of impactful healthcare technology, including AI-driven solutions like SDOH.lafia.io, to improve health equity and outcomes. Concurrently, I’ve transitioned into a chair advisory role at ParallelScore, leveraging my experience to guide strategic direction and foster innovation while empowering the leadership team to scale the business further. These new responsibilities reflect my commitment to creating meaningful impact through technology and strategic leadership.

“I proudly voted for the first time as a U.S. citizen in this recent election, marking the end of a transformative 24-year journey navigating U.S. immigration.” Shown: Dawodu and wife, Chidera.

Carlos Lone, of Guatemala City, shares, “Last year, I was promoted to senior solution specialist. I learned and studied more about GenAI and helped many customers start their AI transformation journey. I got invited to speak at important events in my country and share the stage with edX CEO Anant Agarwal.”

Khalid Turk, of Concord, Calif., writes, “As an alum of the Berkeley Haas Chief Digital Officer (CDO) program, I’m thrilled to share the launch of my new venture, ExecPresenceOnline. This platform is deeply personal to me—dedicated to empowering women leaders to elevate their influence, amplify their impact, and thrive in their careers.

“Over the years, I’ve seen countless talented women face barriers to leadership, from impostor syndrome to workplace bias. ExecPresenceOnline was born out of my passion to change that narrative. Combining my experience in leadership, mentorship, and digital transformation, I’ve created programs that offer tailored executive coaching, personal branding services, and strategies to build impactful online presences.

“At ExecPresenceOnline, we believe leadership isn’t just about titles—it’s about being seen, being heard, and being valued. I’m excited to help women break through barriers and unlock their full potential.” Visit khalidturk.com to learn more and to check out Khalid’s first book, The Age of Inclusion. Watch for his second to be published in 2025.

Jason Walker, of Canton, Mich., shares, “After five fulfilling years as the COO of United Road Services, I am thrilled to share that within just three months of completing my education at Berkeley Haas, I have been given the incredible opportunity to lead North America Central School Bus as its new CEO.

“I am excited not only to lead a great company but also to be a part of improving the communities we serve. By enabling and enriching the education of the students we transport, we are making a positive impact on their futures and the future of our communities.”