Justin Keller

University of California-Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“Hospitality leader turned data-driven strategist, soon-to-be Haas MBA, global adventurer, and relentless growth seeker.”

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Fun Fact About Yourself: Working in restaurants made me a fearless foodie—I cook homemade Thai and Indian dishes so delicious and spicy that only my bravest friends can handle the heat.

Undergraduate School and Major: California State University, Northridge: BS, Business Administration (Financial Analysis)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: L.E.K. Consulting: Associate

Berkeley Haas is founded on four Defining Leadership Principles: Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Students Always, and Beyond Yourself. Which principle resonates most with you and why? The principle that resonates with me most is “Students Always.” To me, that means approaching every challenge, big or small, with genuine curiosity, the humility to admit what you do not know, and the willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. Going back to school to study finance, pivoting my career into consulting, and learning to snowboard and box in my 30s, are all examples of how the principle of “Students Always” has impacted my life.

I try to practice the student mindset daily, and in consulting, being a student always is not optional. For example, within the span of three projects, I became proficient in the economics of veterinary medicine, the nuances of digital application development, and the complexities of international payments. It was that type of learning curve that attracted me to the work. At Haas, I am excited to continue my learning journey, both in the classroom and as my classmates and I work, travel, and explore the Bay Area together.

What excites you about earning your MBA in the Bay Area? Earning my MBA in the Bay Area means being surrounded by the epicenter of innovation—ground-zero for the technology of tomorrow—and enjoying some of the world’s most inspiring natural landscapes. I have focused my career on helping innovative early-to-mid stage ventures. Being immersed in the environment of UC Berkeley and Silicon Valley – in close proximity to the labs, incubators, and VCs shaping the future – is an incredible opportunity to enhance my learning and my career.

To stay centered during my MBA journey, I will take full advantage of all of the opportunities to connect with nature. Starting with the upcoming Yosemite trip (Haasemite!)—a place I have somehow never visited before, despite being a lifelong Californian. I am equally looking forward to the weekend ski trips in winter and taking advantage of the amazing waters in the Bay to learn to scuba dive. This balance of intellectual rigor and outdoor adventure will ensure that I bring renewed energy to every discussion and collaboration while at Haas.

What was the key part of Berkeley Haas’ MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? What drew me to Haas, above all else, was its emphasis on experiential learning. I have seen firsthand that I learn best when I am able to get my hands dirty and tackle problems outside of the classroom. At Haas, I can put theory into practice through courses like Lean LaunchPad, Startup Lab, and Haas@Work. In Haas@Work, I will partner with established companies on strategy projects. Working with the caliber of colleagues and companies at Haas will allow me to hone my consulting toolkit.

Through experiential offerings like Lean LaunchPad and Startup Lab, I will gain experience working in an early-stage environment. This was an important priority for me when choosing a business school. I wanted to find a place that would give me the skills to build something and surround me with people who have the same drive. These immersive experiences matter to me because they will equip me to lead, innovate, and collaborate from the moment I graduate.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Berkeley Haas? I am particularly drawn to the International Business Development (IBD) program, where small student teams tackle real world strategic challenges for overseas companies. I am excited to apply my consulting experience to help a foreign company refine their growth strategy or address the complexities of international business. Equally inspiring to me are the student-led immersion trips, especially the Japan visit I have heard prior classes speak so highly of. Experiencing local culture firsthand, building cross-cultural teamwork skills, and forging international connections will enrich my MBA experience.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As interim CFO for WELL, a behavioral healthcare startup, I led a multi-investor fundraising campaign. I built financial projections, pricing models, and investor decks, while collaborating with the founders to secure about $1 million in seed capital. This enabled the launch of a holistic mental health facility and laid the groundwork for scalable, patient-focused growth. The opportunity to work in the dynamic startup space and to contribute to better outcomes in mental health treatment make this the defining accomplishment of my career so far.

At this point, what do you hope to do after graduation? After graduation, I am eager to step into a post-MBA consulting role, helping clients solve high-value strategic challenges across healthcare and technology. Simultaneously, I plan to immerse myself in the Bay Area’s vibrant startup ecosystem, leveraging all of the resources at Haas to build my entrepreneurial toolkit.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Berkeley Haas’ MBA program? My first piece of advice is to ground your application in Haas’ Defining Leadership Principles. Before I applied, I hadn’t fully appreciated how intentional these values are. They are not just catchy taglines; they are tools for aligning the program to the type of future leaders Haas cultivates, and you see that as you get further into the process. Identify which principles are meaningful to you, then weave examples of that alignment into your essays and interviews.

Second, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Haas community before you apply. I visited the campus and attended a Haas conference, which let me experience the energy firsthand and gave the admissions team insight into what I would bring to the Class of 2027. Genuine engagement conveys more about you than any 300-word answer ever could.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE UC BERKELEY HAAS MBA CLASS OF 2027

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