People

Leadership

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.

Adam Ross

Executive Director

Adam Jason Ross is the Executive Director of the Institute for Business and Social Impact at Haas School of Business. He previously worked in a senior role at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, served as an economist at the World Bank and was the founding vice president of AYUDA Inc. (American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad). Adam holds a master’s degree in international development (MPAID) from the Harvard Kennedy School and a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Cynthia Okita

Program Coordinator

Cynthia Okita manages and support the programs, centers and initiatives at ISI. 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.

Jennifer Sturdy

Research Director

Jennifer Sturdy is the Research Director of the Institute for Business and Social Impact at Haas School of Business. She previously worked with UC Berkeley as a research assistant and as the Program Director for the Berkeley Initiative for Transparency in the Social Sciences. She also held roles with the World Bank, Millennium Challenge Corporation, and International Initiative for Impact Evaluation. Most recently, Jen served the Newsom Administration as the Deputy Secretary for Evaluation with the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency from 2022-2024.

Leadership

Adam Ross

Cynthia Okita

Jennifer Sturdy

Research Affiliates