“You’re working with a nonprofit? During a RECESSION?” This was a common refrain from family members and friends afraid of how pandemic uncertainty and an economic downturn may impact my summer experience. However, if my background in emergency management taught me anything, it is that resilience does not come from a specific business model — …
Just two years ago, I hopped off my call with Lalu Bere (Kellogg MBA ‘19) after learning about her MBA and Farber Fellow experience. I was in the middle of a long-winding MBA application journey that felt endless. Ultimately, I made the decision to come to Berkeley-Haas to pursue the intersection of finance and social …
Last year, I attended a REDF information session where a Farber alum described the experience as one that “changed her life.” I’d heard numerous students recount their internship stories, but rarely with so much enthusiasm. Instantly, I knew this is where I wanted to spend my summer. Of course, being an MBA student, I did …
I wanted to spend my summer ingrained in an organization making a direct social impact. Coming from consulting prior to business school, I was looking for an experience that would blend business and impact, and quickly realized that working in social enterprise would be the most rewarding way to do this. During my Farber Summer …
Complete the sentence: “To me, a good job looks like…” The 8 participants in my Zoom-enabled focus group paused for a few seconds. I was prepared to wait for a while – trained in the art of drawing out a pregnant pause as long as possible – but didn’t have to linger for long before …
After putting the finishing touches on my summer project for Conservation Corps North Bay and saying my goodbyes, I loaded up the car and beelined for Yosemite. I spent the next several nights camping under the stars amidst California’s redwood giants. In the silence of the forest, I reflected on all that I’d experienced over …
“Am I gonna do this or not? Because I have all the tools to do it.” This quote is from Anthony “AP” Armour, Executive Director of Neighborhood Industries and REDF Accelerator Alum. He says he thought about this at the beginning of his journey as a social entrepreneur. This quote stuck with me when we …
MUST WATCH: Social Enterprises Respond to COVID-19 Head On The inspirational, agile, and entrepreneurial leaders who run employment social enterprises are pivoting their businesses to not only retain their employees, but to serve their local communities at a time when help is needed most. Watch our latest video that shares a few of their inspiring …
When COVID-19 shut down offices and travel across the country this spring, it also created a unique challenge for summer internship and fellowship programs, including REDF’s Farber Fellowship for MBA students. Now in its twenty-third year and with over 180 alumni, the Farber program enables REDF to provide a summer’s worth of dedicated business consulting …
REDF Farber Fellows spend 10 weeks immersed in the day-to-day operations at one of REDF’s partner social enterprises working on a mission-critical project. Alumni of the program cite the experience as transformative, providing the opportunity to work closely with social enterprise leaders and staff, and form meaningful and enduring relationships with fellow Farbers. Hear from …