Kamal Kamalaldin

University of California-Berkeley, Haas School of Business

“Builder of teams and products, focused on molding the shape of AI.”

Hometown: Baghdad, Iraq

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am a three-time immigrant and have visited 24 countries to date. Switzerland ranks No. 1 for scenery but dead last for food.

Undergraduate School and Major: Kalamazoo College: BS, Computer Science, minor in Mathematics

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: VibeIQ: Engineering Manager

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? Question the Status Quo! I am a builder at heart: I love building teams, communities, and ideas. I see the world as a place littered with inefficiencies and replete with opportunities to uplift humanity. I firmly believe in (and enjoy) attacking intractable challenges rooted in convention without purpose. I did this in the fintech industry with Clinc and in the retail industry at VibeIQ (both startups).

With Clinc, we asked, “What if banking was voice-driven?”

With VibeIQ, we asked, “What if merchandizers, designers, and business units all spoke the same language and worked in the same platform?” This led to faster planning cycles at some of the world’s leading retail companies (measured by concept-to-production time).

What excites you about earning your MBA in the Bay Area?

1. The contagious techno-optimistic spirit of innovation
2. The relentless drive towards success of founders, investors, and engineers
3. The diversity of peoples and ideas

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? The focus on responsible innovation! While every other business school will focus on business outcomes, I found Haas’ community (hard-core capitalistic professors included) to have a refreshing and responsible take on enriching business goals with social and sustainability objectives. Professors like Stephen Etter and Adair Morse are experienced practitioners who reinforce my belief that business can be a power of good in the world, not just an exercise in profit maximization.

Also, I was accepted to the MBA/Master of Engineering dual-degree program, and an engineering degree from Berkeley was difficult to pass on!

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Berkeley Haas? Haas Soccer Club! Throughout my family’s journey with immigration and continuous travel, soccer was the only constant. No matter the country, language, or neighborhood, I could always find some kids (and later adults) kicking a ball around. That quickly became my way of engaging in local communities and growing friendships. I am excited to continue my tradition at Berkeley!

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Helping my teammates grow and accomplish their career goals. Super meta, right?

I spent the past five years leading engineering teams, and the most rewarding part of it has always been the reflection on the personal growth I’ve helped create in my team members. Some of them don’t know how awesome they are, and it was my mission to ensure they see the greatness within themselves. When that moment happens and you see the glitter in their eye, that’s a pretty sweet moment!

At this point, what do you hope to do after graduation? We are living in a transformational moment for mankind with the advent of artificial intelligence. I am energized by the prospect of rethinking our business models and ideas of human capital. The intersection of business and technology is becoming the focal point of mankind’s future, and I aim to help mold the shape of AI by starting a VC or software company in the AI space. I would love to solve the human enablement rather than replacement.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Berkeley Haas’ MBA program? Business school applications are as much a chance for you to filter schools as they are a chance for schools to filter you. The goal is to find the best possible match between business schools and your personal strengths and objectives.

With that in mind, here is my take on Berkeley’s application:

1. Haas has a definite character that differs from any other business school. The community spirit is real. Egos are low. Entrepreneurship and sustainability are a massive focus. If this energizes you, proceed!

2. Speak about experiences that showcase your person and passions. These do not have to be professional experiences. I wrote about soccer and my immigration stories!

3. Be authentic. Be yourself. Don’t play a character. This should be easy.

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

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