TRANSFORMATIONAL GIFTS

At Berkeley Haas, transformational gifts are more than generous acts—they are catalysts for change. Over the past year, visionary donors have empowered us to break new ground in sustainability, entrepreneurship, inclusion, and undergraduate education. From launching a dual-degree MBA program focused on climate solutions to creating scholarships for first-generation students and funding spaces that foster collaboration and community, these investments are shaping the next generation of business leaders. Below are just some of the powerful ways philanthropy has driven progress across Berkeley Haas this past year.

Sustainability initiatives fueled by new endowment funds

Berkeley Haas is at the forefront of sustainable business education, thanks in part to the establishment of new sustainability endowment funds by Yamini Rangan, MBA 03 & Kash Rangan; Ellen Chan, BA 73 (computer science) & Tony Chan, BS 74; Janelle Grimes, BA 86 (political science), & Michael Grimes, BS 87 (electrical engineering and computer science); Scott Pinkus; Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, BA 82 (political science) & Gary Pomerantz, BA 82 (history); Dave Ruegg, BS 61; and Jodie & Jack Russi, BS 82.

Over the past year, support from these generous donors enabled Haas to launch the new MBA/Master of Climate Solutions dual-degree program with the Rausser College of Natural Resources. The program’s inaugural success has been driven by its focus on practical climate solutions over broad environmental studies as well as its strong emphasis on career development and community building. The program joins a growing slate of sustainability offerings at Haas, including the Michaels Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business and experiential courses like the new Climate Solutions Fund.

Audience in an auditorium

Donor support also allowed Haas to host the 2025 ClimateCAP Global MBA Summit, which welcomed 500 attendees from 43 business schools united by a shared commitment to addressing climate change through a business lens. These efforts are all led by our new Chief Sustainability Officer, Amy Chan, BS 06. Since joining Haas in fall 2024, she’s strengthened external partnerships, increased student opportunities, and deepened the school’s commitment to preparing the next generation of business leaders to build a resilient, low-carbon economy.

New eHub makes entrepreneurship more accessible at Berkeley

The Berkeley Haas Entrepreneurship Hub (eHub) opened in February 2025 after a renovation funded entirely by philanthropic contributions. But programming started earlier, in fall 2024. By the end of the academic year, in May, the eHub had already received 1,227 visits, hosted 70 events, and conducted 223 individual advising sessions that connected students to over 90 university resources, significantly impacting students campuswide at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. The eHub’s three practice tracks—SEARCH, for students in the exploration phase; TEST, for students with an idea to validate; and BUILD, for students who have begun validating their business model—enrolled 187 participants who received mentorship, networking, and skill-building opportunities.

Exterior of a building with a sign that reads: Berkeley Haas Entrepreneurship Hub

The eHub stands out among all the entrepreneurship resources on campus as a space that is truly welcoming and conducive to productivity. It allowed me to develop my startup idea into a tangible prototype. By far my favorite thing about the eHub is its ability to organically build community—I had many serendipitous moments where I made connections and received advice on market research, user experience design, and much more!”

— Avery Payne, BA 25 (Legal Studies), TEST track participant

Cleantech to Market gains strength with Strauch gift

Berkeley Haas’ Cleantech to Market Program (C2M) is now The Strauch Cleantech to Market Program—renamed this year to recognize a generous gift from Roger and Hans Strauch, co-presidents of The Mosse Foundation. Each year, C2M brings together interdisciplinary teams of graduate students to help entrepreneurs bring breakthrough clean technologies to market. Since its founding, 660 students have collaborated on 120+ projects that have led to nearly $1.3 billion in funding and the creation of more than 1,200 cleantech jobs.

“Climate change is a present and pervasive force touching lives in every country,” says C2M Director Brian Steel. “If we rally with clarity, conviction, and courage—we still have a shot at turning things around. Roger and Hans Strauch understand just how critical it is to bring game-changing solutions to market faster and more effectively.”

Five people on a stage hold a large check
Team Oleo, winners of this year’s C2M Climate Tech Summit. Oleo seeks to mitigate the carbon intensive production of oil seed crops. “C2M gave me high-level experience in science commercialization, which I can use as I move forward with my own venture,” says Lynda Negron, MBA 25 (shown far right).

Unique fellowship empowers first-generation MBA students

The Fermina and Christopher Phillips Family MBA Fellowship was awarded for the first time this year. The fellowship was created by Fermina Phillips, MBA 03, a brand marketer who loves working with mission-driven organizations that foster diversity, and her husband, Christopher. Designed specifically for first-generation students pursuing an MBA, the award is the first of its kind at Haas.

Person with chin length hair in a striped shirt and blazer

As a first-generation student from Nigeria, I am grateful for this scholarship. It has profoundly impacted my academic and professional journey by relieving the economic pressures associated with pursuing an MBA as an international student. This award has allowed me to focus on strategic management and finance, areas critical to my goal of launching an investment firm dedicated to empowering women-led businesses in emerging markets and ensuring they have access to adequate capital.”

— Rachael T. Abayomi, MBA 26, Phillips Family MBA Fellowship recipient

Undergraduate alum’s success inspires new scholarship

Eugene “Gene” Frantz, BS 88, a leading investor in enterprise and cybersecurity, attributes much of his career success to his undergraduate education at Haas. In gratitude, he and his wife, Maria, created The Frantz Family Scholarship, which was awarded for the first time this year to two undergraduate Haas transfer students.

Person in a white shirt, blue blazer and blue tie

It was surprising to see a donor’s name attached to my scholarship—that someone I didn’t know cared about me enough to pay for part of my education. It is incredibly meaningful and makes me feel valued and inspired that one day, I could be on the other side of a scholarship.”

— Henry Fiebert, BS 26, Frantz Family Scholarship recipient

Student in a dark blazer on Haas campus

Berkeley has always been a dream of mine to attend, and this scholarship has really changed my life. During my two years at community college, I was challenged with financial issues at home and was forced to take a job to help pay the bills while being a full-time student. This scholarship has given me the resources to focus mainly on my academics. It motivates me to work hard so I can pay it forward after my time at Berkeley.”

— Samir Robinson, BS 25, Frantz Family Scholarship recipient

Bushala family gift powers undergraduate commons renovation

Thanks to a $1 million gift from the Bushala family, Berkeley Haas has transformed the undergraduate lounge into a welcoming and inclusive space—the Miaad and Albert Bushala Undergraduate Commons. The Bushala Lounge on the fourth floor of Chou Hall was also named in their honor.

Donors Miaad and Albert Bushala hope the spaces improve the experience for this and future generations of Haas students. “Common spaces are just as important as classrooms,” they say. “In them, students can apply skills, collaborate, learn, and come up with and execute ideas.” Ultimately, they hope their gift motivates other parents to invest in opportunity and add, “One of the greatest gifts in life is being able to open doors for others.”

Person wearing graduation gown over a white dress stands with three people
The gift by Miaad (left) and Albert Bushala (right) was inspired by their daughter, Miaad Madeline Bushala, BS 25 (second from left), an aspiring real estate developer, who noted the undergraduate lounge’s unrealized potential when compared to the MBA lounge. Also shown: the Bushala’s son, Albert.

First Spieker Scholars and undergraduates begin their journeys in new program

As part of a $30 million gift from Ned Spieker, BS 66, and his wife, Carol, BA 66 (political science)—the biggest in the school’s history—the first class of freshmen in the new four-year Spieker Undergraduate Business Program began their Haas careers. Four of them were named Spieker Scholars and received significant financial support and enrichment opportunities. Learn about them all in our four-part series: Mariah McCoy, Rohan Toc, Claudia Lizeth Carrillo, and Nicole Yang Ta.

Special thanks to the Spieker Undergraduate Business Program Founding Advisory Board:

  • Carol, BA 66 (political science), and Ned Spieker, BS 66
  • Michael Grimes, BS 87 (EECS), and Janelle Grimes, BA 86 (political science)
  • Joanne and Jon Goldstein, BS 82
  • Adria and Brian Sheth
  • Roshni and Jagdeep Singh, MBA 90
  • Karen Pell, BA 79 (English)
  • Melody and Jerry Weintraub, BS 80, MBA 88
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