In recognition of International Women's Day, Poets & Quants issued a list of women to watch from the MBA class of 2018 that includes Full-time Berkeley MBA students Kasey Koopmans and Amanda Parker.
Finding a Career of Meaning: Kasey Koopmans
Previously interviewed by Poets & Quants, Kasey is a Seattle native who has hiked from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail, interned with Save the Children in Nepal, and conducted market research in Myanmar.
She told Poets & Quants that she has spent her early career "seeking displacement," and says, "These experiences opened doors to positions and responsibilities that compelled personal and professional development." Her dream job is with a company "on the cutting edge of innovation, solving a messy problem in an unprecedented way, with an explicit mission related to social and environmental impact."
She describes Berkeley Haas as "overrun with ambitious and down-to-earth humans" and a place to be her "unabashed self. Kasey told Poets & Quants, "More than any other school I considered, I believed the earnestness behind Haas’ commitment to help me find a career of meaning. Turns out it was a slam dunk."
Solving Food System Issues: Amanda Parker
Passionate about innovation and education in the food industry, Amanda Parker told Poets & Quants she is often known as "cheese girl." Amanda is one of nearly 600 Certified Cheese Professionals, and has developed a national training program to prepare others for the certification.
On her career aspirations, she told Poets & Quants she would be thrilled to work in the food innovation space in a strategic, creative way. "I look to places like IDEO and its food and beverage group, or to the many companies...looking to solve issues in our food systems."
A connection to the Berkeley MBA Program's emphasis on "impactful, selfless leadership and personal transformation" attracted her to Berkeley-Haas, as did the Bay Area location for her future in food: "Amazing restaurants, farms, and innovators just minutes away!"
