Posts by Jennifer Sturdy
Beyond the Classroom: Learning about stablecoins for good
When many of my fellow students hear about cryptocurrency, they picture speculative hype, 200% volatility headlines, and high-profile market collapses. But beyond these headlines, a shift is taking place where it matters most. By leveraging stable digital assets, the Regenerative Finance (ReFi) move…
Beyond the Classroom: Learning from research on ESG policies
Recently, I have fallen down a rabbit hole questioning environmental regulations. Like many business students throughout the world interested in social impact, I had heard about sustainability and environmental measures, yet I wanted to learn more. I found myself drawn to one of the most fascinating…
Beyond the Classroom: Learning from research on the Nestlé Tragedy
As an undergraduate at the Haas School of Business, I am frequently immersed in case studies regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR). Among these, the Nestlé infant formula controversy remains a seminal example of the catastrophic consequences that arise when corporate strategy ignores soci…
Event Recap: Civic Innovation Challenge
How does Berkeley prepare the next generation of leaders? By breaking down barriers and introducing students to new ways of approaching old challenges and innovating new ideas. This past February, I got the chance to see a great example of this at the inaugural Civic Innovation Challenge (CIC). I wa…
Beyond the Classroom: Learning from research on SME credit card usage
For many small business owners, the American Dream is fueled by a piece of plastic. In an economy where customers often pay late but rent and payroll are due on time, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) frequently live with uneven cash flows. To bridge these gaps, many rely on business […]
Event Recap: Blended Finance for a Just Transition
In February 2026, the Sustainable & Impact Finance (SAIF) Initiative, Blum Center for Developing Economies and Sustainability Alumni at Berkeley Haas (SABH) co-hosted Blended Finance: Mobilizing Capital for a Just Transition. The event was promoted as an interactive evening exploring how public,…
Beyond Profit: Ethical Research on Consumer Data
Digital platforms collect and often share data regarding our online behavior. Increasingly, consumers agree to release data in exchange for digital services. How this consumer data is used – by industry, by researchers – raises important ethical and practical questions. In January, we co…
Build, Launch, and Accelerate: B-BAY responds to demand for mentorship at different stages of youth entrepreneurial journey
What happens when high school students are given the tools to build real ventures? For over a decade, the UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) functioned as a blueprint for high school entrepreneurs, translating the academic rigor of UC Berkeley Haas into a hands-on, transformative experie…
$850 matters: How opaque transactions affect SMEs
When I started working in Rwanda in 2005, it was hard for me to internalize how challenging it was to access cash when I needed it. I was used to walking up to an ATM and taking out what I needed or putting down my credit card. It took about […]
Event Recap: Investing in Ownership Economy
“If you can point the market in a good direction, you can do things at scale that probably philanthropy can never pull off.” — Michael Brownrigg (Apis and Heritage) Over the summer, the Institute for Business & Social Impact (IBSI) announced its Shared Ownership Initiative includin…