Meet The CRB’s 2026 Fellow
The Center for Responsible Business is thrilled to introduce Jacqueline Tran (she/her) as our 2026-2028 Fellow. Initiated in 2011, the CRB Fellowship has been a lasting symbol of the Center’s commitment to advancing graduates who will redefine conventional business practices and strive for meaningful social impact. Pursuing a MBA, Jacqueline embodies Haas’ Defining Leadership Principles through her extensive background as a trusted advisor to CEOs in financial services, guiding them through high-stakes transactions and organizational transformation.
She was most recently Founder of Infera, conducting independent advisory and market intelligence research for U.S. investors on generative AI in the greater Asia-Pacific region. Jacqueline was previously Corporate Strategist in the Office of the CEO at CFI Partners in Chicago, streamlining the execution of the firm’s strategic plan. Prior to that, she was Chief of Staff to the Co-CEO at Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. in New York, serving as an in-house strategy advisor on special projects for internal leadership and global executive boards. Before Wall Street, she lived in Amman, Jordan as a Critical Language Scholar for Arabic, and in China as a Visiting Scholar at Shandong University conducting economic policy research.
Jacqueline was Founder and Executive Director of the New York chapter of Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security. She is a committee member of NYC Fintech Women and formerly with 100 Women in Finance.
She holds a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Rochester and is a George Eastman Circle member.
Meet Jacqueline, in her own words:
What does Responsible Business mean to you?
The etymology of “Responsible”:
- Latin respondere: Combined, re- + spondere meant to answer back or pledge oneself in response to a call or claim.
- Old/Middle French responsable: Evolved to describe a person who was legally or financially answerable—someone who could “respond” to a charge or pay a debt.
Responsible business is business conducted with a manifesto of moral obligation, accountability, and servitude to greater society. For leaders, it means questioning at every level – from product design to corporate strategy – how this business can not only strive for financial returns or shareholder interests, but to serve with purpose for the betterment of others. More importantly, it means having the discipline to understand potential ramifications of a business’s actions and mitigating them accordingly. Often a leader may be faced with difficult decisions — a layoff that could significantly improve operations, or a product launch that could generate 4x return but at risk of infringing on constitutional rights. Sitting with competing interests is by no means easy work. Developing a strong moral compass, with the help of other likeminded responsible business leaders is vital.
What drew you to the sustainability/social impact space?
Growing up in New York City, I was always keenly aware of the distinct economic divide in one of the wealthiest cities in the world. From the start, the math didn’t make sense. I spent over a decade working with under-resourced communities domestically and abroad to find an answer on how to bridge the gap. From teaching inner city children in East Harlem to fetching drinking water by foot through unpaved roads in Nepal, I began to have more questions than answers, and ultimately decided that in order to understand poverty, I needed to understand wealth.
I entered Wall Street, learning from the greatest investors. I saw first-hand how leveraging the power of financial markets with impact at the center of one’s strategy had successfully lifted millions out of poverty. I also saw how leaders grappled with complex, real-world challenges where often there was never an easy answer. This work inspired me to continue pursuing a career in investing. I believe investing can be a powerful force for good, and I am excited to explore different opportunities in this space at Haas.
Why did you choose Berkeley Haas?
The smartest people I know lead with an entrepreneurial, creative mindset. The courage to make bold strokes, which can either make or break the whole composition. And, the self-awareness to let go of what no longer works, making room for new ideas and growth.
When I met the Haas community, this innovation-first approach was embodied in every individual I met. Everyone was an entrepreneur in how they approached growth in their personal and professional lives – daring to question the status quo with integrity and generosity. I came across a lot of different schools — there was truly nothing like Haas.
Ultimately, I chose Haas because I knew this community would challenge me to grow as a better business leader and better human being.
What do you hope to achieve by collaborating with the CRB?
I am interested in cross-discipline dialogue, specifically between policy, non-profit enterprise, and investors, on how to service underserved communities and close the wealth gap. With CRB’s extensive network and resources, I’m looking forward to creating opportunities for engagement and dialogue, to think about impact not only at the product or enterprise level, but in partnership with regulatory bodies.
What motivates you/what are you excited about for the future?
My mentees. I mentor inner city high school students across the country. Time and again, I have seen transformative change in their lives and families from sharing what I myself learned from my mentors. In turn, my mentees always teach me something new about how I can be a better mentor. I stand on the shoulders of giants, and now, passing on the baton to the next generation, I see the growth and change mentorship can make at the individual, familial, and community levels. I couldn’t be more excited about how they will shape the lives of others in the future.
What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
I once cliff dived (without knowing how to swim).
About the Fellowship
The CRB Fellowship is graciously funded by Scott Pinkus, retired Goldman Sachs Partner and CRB Community Advisory Group Member. This fellowship serves as a liaison between the Center for Responsible Business and the Haas student body with an active leadership role on the CRB SAB board.
