Jordan Russell Smith

Jordan is the Director of Lean Portfolio Management focused on business transformation and operations at Pacific Scientific, where they make precision pyrotechnic systems. In this episode, we discuss Jordan’s career progression as an engineer, business development professional, and a business unit leader through organizations focused in robotics and automation. We talk about the Fortive business system, inherited from Danaher, and based on the original Toyota Production System. We also discuss how large enterprises can utilize GenAI tools today. Jordan shares how he decided to apply to Haas, and talks about the fireside chats he organized to discuss special topics among our classmates, such as real estate investing and AI applications.

Kim Sottero is the VP of business operations at Presage, focused on translational oncology and testing drug effectiveness. In this episode, we discuss Kim’s journeys traveling to over 80 countries, how her network helped kick start her career in biotech, how Kim is exploring Berkeley’s resources such as the Career Management Group (CMG), and the student entrepreneurship program (StEP), and also Kim’s role as our newly elected class president.

Maurin Lenglart is the director of engineering at Alteryx, where he is focused on data transformation, and Vijay Ramakrishnan is a principal software engineering manager at Microsoft, focused on tools for software developers. In this episode, we discuss the difference in engineering roles at start ups vs large enterprises, engineering management vs specialization, and how to think about the changes AI is bringing to the software development world.

Ashish Iyer is the Director of Product Management at Qualcomm Inc. Automotive Telematics. In this episode, we discuss Ashish's career as an engineer, his decision to transition into product management, and his experience moving to the US to pursue a masters at Georgia Tech to accelerate his professional life.

Krissy Estrada is the Head of Marketing Operations at State, an industry leading motion graphics studio based out of Los Angeles. In this episode, I ask Krissy about her extensive experience in animation and production, her journey from growing up in Uvalde, TX, to attending Notre Dame, moving to Chicago for work, and finally landing in Los Angeles. We talk about Krissy’s design community, R&D, and her vlog “Hola Krissy." And finally we discuss, her motivations and plans for the MBA program here at UC Berkeley Haas.

Shelby is a senior product manager at Levi's Strauss, focused on using AI for demand forecasting and pricing. Stephanie is the VP of retail and commerce at Clare V, a direct-to-consumer brand that specializes in handbags and apparel. In this episode, we get in the weeds about building a successful career in the retail space, the practical applications of AI, and the application process for Berkeley Haas school of business.

Rachana Rele is a VP of Design at Adobe, where she builds design teams and helps them maximize their impact on product development. In this episode, we discuss Rachana's journey from Mumbai, India to Clemson, South Carolina. She shares how lateral moves have been instrumental to advancing in her career through leading tech companies such as Paypal, Oracle, and Citrix. Rachana also discusses her role leading the pride network at Adobe and what it means to her.

Vincent Salazar is a Managing Director at Deloitte, where he manages auditing of the retail, gaming, and hospitality sectors in Las Vegas. In this episode, we discuss Vincent's early life growing up in Guadalajara before moving to the United States and the challenges he faced climbing the corporate ladder. Vincent sheds light on the social dynamics within an Executive MBA program, and his plans upon graduating from Haas.

Julienne is a supply chain leader at Tesla, where she builds teams, defines processes, and solves challenges in the manufacturing of the world's most prominent electric vehicles. This episode was filmed during term 1, block 1 of the Haas Executive MBA program, and we discuss Julienne's transition from a successful Logistics Officer in the US Army, to a senior leader in big tech.

Denis Murphy is currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer for Nch’ḵay̓, the economic development arm of the Squamish Nation, and he is based out of Vancouver. This episode was recorded during our Leadership Communications Immersion, and we discuss Denis' multi-ethnic origins, his journey as a finance professional, his experience at the Haas School of Business, and his goals for the future.