Paul Gertler

Faculty Director

Paul Gertler is the Li Ka Shing Professor of Economics at Haas and scientific director for the Center for Effective Global Action. He’s an expert on impact evaluation, acting as principal investigator on large, multisite evaluations of programs to fight poverty and improve healthcare in Mexico, Rwanda, and around the world. He also served as the chief economist of the Human Development Network of the World Bank from 2004 to 2007. He has been a member of the Haas faculty since 1996, and holds a PhD in economics from the University of Wisconsin.

Laura Chioda

Director of Research

Laura Chioda is the Director of Research at the Institute for Business and Social Impact (IBSI), at the University of California, Berkeley. In collaboration with faculty, she is responsible for formulating and developing research programs for IBSI’s strategic priorities.

Cathy Garza

Executive Director

Cathy Garza is the Executive Director of the Institute for Business and Social Impact at Berkeley Haas where she oversees a portfolio of centers, initiatives, and programs focused on positive stakeholder (vs shareholder) outcomes.
Cathy previously served in various leadership roles at Berkeley Haas in student, alumni, and industry facing roles including with the Center for Social Sector Leadership, the Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics, and Berkeley Haas’ Career Management Group. Prior to joining Berkeley Haas, Cathy worked in commercial banking with a finance speciality. She participated in some of the first asset backed securitizations and marvels at the proliferation and diversification of financing tools.

A Texas native, Cathy is Bay Area educated receiving her MBA from Haas and her AB from Stanford in Economics. She is active in her local community serving on a few boards and is a founding member of a grand masters, all women’s Ultimate Frisbee team. She has found the “spirit of the game” ethos of Ultimate Frisbee to be applicable in her professional as well as personal life.

Cynthia Okita

Program Coordinator

Cynthia Okita is the Program Coordinator at the Institute for Business and Social Impact at the University of California, Berkeley. In this role, she works with IBSI’s leadership to support the various programs, centers and initiatives. Previously, Cynthia worked at Berkeley Research Group, a global consulting firm and at the Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy, an interdisciplinary research group focused on the development and application of advanced technologies and the international economy. Cynthia graduated with highest honors and distinction in general scholarship from UC Berkeley.