Lizzie Hoerauf

University of California-Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“Enthusiastic nature advocate specializing in nonprofit finance, fostering social impact, and operational excellence.”

Hometown: Sterling, VA

Fun fact about yourself: I love backpacking—I’ve backpacked nearly 2,000 miles, including an 800-mile, 56-day solo trip on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2018.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Duke University: BS in Environmental Science, with a minor in biology and certificate in Marine Science and Conservation Leadership.

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Program Manager at NatureBridge in Yosemite National Park, CA. As the largest education partner of the U.S. National Park Service, NatureBridge offers overnight field trips focused on environmental science, cultural history, and social-emotional learning.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? I spent my summer with Gartner Consulting in San Francisco, where I worked with two state government clients focused on organization change management and market research.

Where will you be working after graduation? To be determined. I’m striving to work in nonprofit or government finance that will set me up for a career as a nonprofit CFO.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Vice President of Academics, MBA Association (Haas’ student government)
• Academic Cohort Representative
• Graduate Student Instructor for MBA Core accounting, marketing, and operations courses (required for first-year MBA students)
• Quant Coach for incoming first-year MBA students
• Impact CFO Fellow
• Impact CFO Fellowship Development team
• Impact CFO Speaker Series Coordinator
• Bears on Boards Nonprofit Board Fellow for the Golden Gate Bird Alliance
• Haas Hearts Lead Consultant for Start Lighthouse, a child literacy nonprofit in NYC
• Coordinator for Haas’ annual 400+- person Yosemite trip
• Net Impact Case Competition finalist, 2024
• Kellog-Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge participant, 2024

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? As the VP of Academics in our student government, I spearheaded a significant initiative to revamp our student academic norms. These norms serve as a mutual agreement among students of how we want to show up in the classroom setting to best support learning for ourselves and our peers. Convening a dedicated team of students, including individuals with teaching backgrounds predating their time at Haas, we crafted norms that expanded upon those established in 2017. Our vision emphasized engagement, professionalism, inclusion, and support, aiming for an exceptional classroom experience.

While these norms are a collaborative effort by and for students, garnering support from faculty and administration was crucial. To engage all stakeholders, I conducted multiple comment periods to gather feedback and finalize the norms. When put to a vote, the norms secured an impressive 97% approval from the student body.

Designed to be revisited approximately every five years for consistency and to spare students and faculty from a complete overhaul, gaining buy-in from future classes of MBA students who were not directly involved in the development of the norms required a strategic approach. Drawing upon my experiences in change management from my summer internship at Gartner and leveraging interpretive education training, I facilitated an engaging session for incoming MBA students to find meaning and connection in the norms. Amid the demanding MBA experience, these norms serve as a foundation, ensuring Haas students consistently thrive in an academic environment that fosters excellence and unwavering support.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? My proudest professional achievement stems from my pivotal role on the management team at NatureBridge during our reemergence in September 2022 after an 18-month closure due to COVID-19. Despite the optimism surrounding the rehiring of our staff for a full-season, there were unforeseen school cancellations that arose due to a last-minute National Park Service requirement mandating student vaccination. This posed age limitations for many students. Faced with the challenge of providing work for our staff, I took the initiative to design and implement a new system for transitional project assignments. This innovative approach ensured continuous employment for all 24 educators during program cancellations, requiring seamless coordination across three different worksites. By prioritizing both staff learning goals and organizational needs, I helped navigate a challenging period for NatureBridge and contributed to the sustained professional growth and well-being of our dedicated team.

Why did you choose this business school? Choosing Haas was a natural decision for me, driven by my passion for social impact. The Center for Social Sector Leadership (CSSL) at Haas emerged as a standout among business schools, offering courses like “Social Sector Solutions” and “Business Models for Social Impact” that promised a unique blend of theoretical learning and hands-on experience in social impact. Beyond the curriculum, CSSL’s promise of mentorship, fellowships, and networking opportunities was a key factor in my decision, reflecting the assurance that I could explore and thrive within the dynamic and purpose-driven social impact landscape. Haas, with its strong emphasis on social sector leadership, perfectly aligned with my aspirations making it the ideal launchpad for my career.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? My favorite professor at Haas is easily Omri Even-Tov. His one-of-a-kind teaching approach turned core accounting into a captivating and engaging experience, making it the most enjoyable class I’ve ever taken. His personalized support for each student, combined with a sincere interest in our long-term career goals, set him apart. In our first semester at Haas, Omri not only imparted valuable financial knowledge, but also fostered a deep sense of community.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? Power and Politics with Professor Cameron Anderson opened my eyes to effective leadership and change-making. Cameron’s expert guidance through research and hands-on activities equipped us with practical tools for personal reflection growth. Notably, in every class, he addressed the impact of diverse identities on perceptions of leadership and emphasized how to be an ally. This course enriched my understanding of leadership dynamics and fostered a deeper appreciation for diversity and inclusion in the business world.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? Story Salon reflects the best and most magical parts of the Haas community. Once a month, three students get on stage to share 15-minute intimate and personal stories in front of about 150 classmates. Each Story Salon creates a deep sense of connection with both the speakers and the larger Haas community. Experiencing the vulnerability and authenticity of my peers during these sessions was incredibly impactful, fostering a sense of empathy and shared humanity. Having the opportunity to share my own story became a highlight of my Haas career!

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I would have approached networking differently, particularly during my first year. Securing my summer internship with Gartner early, at the pre-MBA Forte Conference, meant I didn’t need to focus as much energy on networking during the school year. However, when I decided to re-recruit to pursue my passions in nonprofit finance, I wished I had invested more time in exploratory networking during my first year.

What is the biggest myth about your school? A common misconception about Haas is that it is predominantly tech-focused. While the connection to the tech industry is strong with our location in the Bay Area, Haas offers excellent resources, courses, and alumni across all sectors.

What surprised you the most about business school? Coming from a very nontraditional background, I worried that it would be difficult to connect with people at business school. On the contrary, I’ve been able to find a diverse and welcoming community that values unique perspectives. The genuine connections I’ve formed across various backgrounds have not only alleviated my initial concerns but also thoroughly enriched my business school experience.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Among the many remarkable people at Haas, Whitner Chase consistently earns my admiration for his unwavering commitment to equitable land conservation. As the president of the Indigenous Business Association, Whitner has been instrumental in educating Haas students about the crucial role of Indigenous voices in real estate development. He dreams big and works hard to bring those dreams to life, as seen in his forest conservation loan fund idea for the Kellogg Morgan Stanley Sustainable Investing Challenge. Every conversation with Whitner sparks deep reflections and inspires me to aim high for the positive impact MBAs can have in the world.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? First is to return to Haas as a professional faculty member: I love teaching and got so much joy out of being a graduate student instructor during my time here. Once I gain more experience and expertise through my career, I hope to come back and teach a course through the Center for Social Sector Leadership. Second is to support the entrepreneurial ventures of my incredibly talented Yosemite friends, helping bring their dreams to life. Whether it’s establishing a nature center, opening a yarn store, or something entirely unique, I would love to help them start up an idea that brings more joy to the world.

What made Lizzie such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“In my nine years at Haas, I have never encountered a phenomenon such as Lizzie. With no prior background in finance or accounting, having worked as a backpacking leader and program manager for nonprofits in Yosemite National Park, Lizzie distinguished herself by earning an A+ in my demanding financial accounting course. Her exceptional focus and dedication were evident as she engaged deeply with complex concepts, all while multitasking with her unique habit of knitting in the first row of the class. Knowing her passion for social impact, along with her analytical rigor, led me to offer her the opportunity to help me build a new program at Haas called “Impact CFO,” designed for students aspiring to become CFOs in the social sector, and to serve as my teaching assistant for my accounting class the following year.

In both roles, Lizzie consistently went beyond the call of duty, anticipating needs before they arose and addressing problems before I became aware of them. Her proficiency extended beyond my classroom, as she served as a TA for two other challenging courses, showing how dedicated she is to supporting student learning and success in challenging classes. Moreover, Lizzie’s leadership skills shone brightly in her involvement with extracurricular activities, notably leading student treks and serving on the student government as VP of Academics. She was also chosen as part of the inaugural cohort for the Impact CFO program and was the first student to land a finance internship through the program at REDF, an impact investing nonprofit, further exemplifying her ability to excel in diverse and challenging environments. Balancing a full-time MBA program, multiple TA roles, a consulting summer internship at Gartner, her yearlong internship at REDF, and her contributions to the Haas community, Lizzie has demonstrated an exceptional ability to thrive outside of her comfort zone, displaying the leadership skills she honed during her pre-MBA life leading outdoor treks. Her journey is a remarkable story of transformation and achievement, making her an invaluable addition to Berkeley Haas’ Class of 2024.”

Omri Even-Tov
Assistant Professor
Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024