UCLA Anderson School of Management Blog

2017: The Year in Review at UCLA Anderson

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UCLA Anderson Master of Financial Engineering Commencement Features Record Number of Graduates

By Paul Feinberg

The Class of 2017 is the ninth graduating class in the history of UCLA Anderson’s Master of Financial Engineering program. But the class also represents a first — as in, the first time two cohorts of students graduated from the program at the same time. The 78 students (from 18 countries) who earned their degree set a record number, collectively embodying the growth of the program since its inception and the strength and relevance of the Anderson MFE degree.

UCLA Anderson Dean Judy Olian addressed the graduates and assembled guests at what is always one of the most familial gatherings on the UCLA Anderson calendar. She reminded the graduates that although their understanding of the technical side of finance is important, their work is as much art as it is science. As part of a select group whose decisions might ultimately impact financial markets, Olian made it a point to remind the graduates that their work comes with significant responsibility.

“You have the values and now the tools to make a decision, and with humility,” Olian said. “You’re blessed with many gifts and extraordinary talents — otherwise, you wouldn’t be at Anderson.”

Military Precision Led to a Dynamic Career in Business

By Jill Hisey (’95)

Both of Jarred Herman’s (’14) grandfathers served in the military, which influenced him to set his sights on joining the U.S. Navy. But one of his grandfathers convinced him to get his college degree first, and then, if he was still interested, he could enter the Navy as an officer.

Heeding this advice, Herman, who grew up in Nevada City, California, attended University of Nevada, Reno, majoring in math. After graduating he knew he wanted to join the submarine corps and determined that becoming a nuclear engineer would offer a perfect mix of science and military service. But first he would attend Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida, followed by six months at the Nuclear Power School in Charleston, South Carolina — which he says entailed an intense academic program — and six months at the Ballston Spa NPTU Prototype in Saratoga Springs, New York. Finally, Herman spent six months in submarine school in Connecticut. All told, he spent 1½ years in training before reporting for duty.

In Net Impact Consulting Challenge, MBA Students Provide Implementable Solutions for UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic

 

UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic (1st place): Pictured with two client participants (front row, center) are Benjamin Rostami, Michael Chester, David Goldman, Julie Ortega, John Double, Patricio Davila Gutierrez, all MBA Class of 2019

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By Nitya Ramaswami (’18) and Taylor Cramm (’18)

In mid-November, UCLA Anderson hosted the 13th annual Net Impact Consulting Challenge (NICC), in partnership with Impact@Anderson and the Harold and Pauline Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. This competition unites MBA students and the academic community with nonprofit organizations and for-profit social ventures to help achieve greater social impact in our community.

NICC is a hallmark event for UCLA Anderson’s Net Impact chapter, the 2017 Net Impact Graduate Chapter of the Year. UCLA Anderson aims to deepen its ties with the L.A. community through interactions with local nonprofit and socially driven organizations. A significant aspect of this outreach comes through consulting initiatives like NICC and Social Impact Fellows, where students have the opportunity to benefit mission-driven organizations while strengthening their business skill set.

Over the course of a two-week consulting engagement, MBA students provide strategic and operational guidance to local organizations to overcome challenges in a variety of functional areas such as fiscal management, operations, marketing and leadership transition.

Some of the client problems that students tackled included: developing a clinic’s growth strategy to reach new local communities in need of health services; mapping a plan to improve operational efficiency around relief efforts in areas affected by recent natural disasters; and proposing a financial plan that would help an organization benefiting children better manage existing funding and search for future opportunities.

A First-Place Win Expands Biopharmaceutical Network for UCLA Anderson Health Care Business Professionals

Left to Right: Andrew Clark, Dan Edlin, Gabi Larus, Zane Goodwin

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By Zane Goodwin (’19), Gabrielle Larus (’19), Daniel Edlin (’19), Andrew Clark (’18)

The global focus on health care is growing at an exponential rate, and we are lucky at UCLA Anderson School of Management to be close to so many companies instrumental in driving significant changes in the industry and impacting countless lives. As student leaders of Anderson’s Healthcare Business Association (HBA), we have built strong relationships with many of these companies, and we are always looking for new avenues to expand our networks.

When the opportunity arose early in the fall 2017 quarter to participate in the annual Rutgers Biopharmaceutical MBA Case Competition in Newark, New Jersey, our team — Zane Goodwin, Gabi Larus, Dan Edlin and Andrew Clark — quickly formed with the goal of gaining industry knowledge, helping to solve a real health care company’s business problem and expanding our networks to the East Coast.

The problem presented in the case focused on how Edge Therapeutics, a pre-revenue biotechnology company based in New Jersey, should plan to commercialize its lead candidate, EG-1962. This drug is being developed to improve the safety and efficacy of treatment for patients who have suffered an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) caused by a ruptured brain aneurysm. While it has been granted fast track designation by the FDA, there are still many challenges facing the company and its potential product launch.

Embracing Diversity Conference Inspires Attendees to Take Real Action

By Alexis Basaldu (’18)

I began my career in education-focused nonprofits dedicated to increasing diversity in higher education. As a full-time UCLA Anderson student, I continued my dedication to diversity and inclusion through my role on the board of Anderson Latino Management Association (ALMA). We have engaged the larger Anderson community in celebration of the American Latino experience. These cultural exchanges are supported by UCLA Anderson in recognition of the fact that strong leadership requires deep appreciation of all voices on campus and in the workplace.

UCLA Anderson’s Embracing Diversity Conference brought the conversation on diversity and inclusion beyond simply articulating the importance of D&I in the workplace to inspiring attendees to spearhead inclusion in their organizations.

UCLA Anderson Economic Forecast, from Low-Volatility Stocks to the Bitcoin Bubble

By Margaret Bliss and John Bugajski

The December 2017 UCLA Anderson Forecast took on a sobering if realistic tone when panelists addressed the financial market outlook for the United States. Guests Christopher Harvey (head of equity strategy at Wells Fargo Securities), Christopher Schwarz (associate professor of finance at UCI Paul Merage School of Business), Ivo Welch (J. Fred Weston Chair in Finance at UCLA Anderson) and Harlan B. Spinner (senior vice president of UBS Private Wealth Management) agreed that one should be wary when predicting the future growth of the GDP and where to invest.

When asked about the stock market’s current exuberance and its future growth, Schwarz disclosed, “The multiple is very high, a historic high. Is it irrational? It is difficult to say while we are sitting up here, but it is not an incredibly crazy number like it was in 1999 … Going forward I think mid-to-single-digit stock market growth is reasonable.” Schwarz anticipates a 5 to 6 percent GDP growth rate over a five-year span.

UCLA Anderson Understands the Importance of Diversity, and Businesses Do, Too

By Hugo J. Garcia

UCLA Anderson School of Management recently presented its professional conference Embracing Diversity. The annual conference demonstrates Anderson’s commitment to increasing diversity in its programs and provides business school applicants invaluable insight into what diversity means in today’s corporate world. Industry leaders are invited to address prospective students, and, without exception, they advocate for every business to seek a diverse pool of candidates in the hiring process.

Corporate Commitment

The 2017 event focus on the role of diversity in business school and the corporate world, not only as socially important, but as a factor that leads to greater efficiency. One of the most memorable presentations was on CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion within the workplace. This initiative is led by CEOs from numerous companies such as Accenture and Deloitte who believe in the strength that diversity brings to their business performance.

The presentation opened with a statement about research that shows “diversity increases creativity and innovation, promotes higher quality decisions and enhances economic growth.” This research has inspired CEOs to actively pursue the diversification of their employment base, creating avenues for businesses to capitalize on the rewards of introducing new perspectives into their company.

Peter Guber Writes a New Chapter: UCLA Medal Recipient

Peter Guber, UCLA Anderson Dean Judy Olian, UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Dean Teri Schwartz

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By Paul Feinberg

Peter Guber’s story details an eclectic and extraordinarily successful and impactful life. He is a renowned award-winning entertainment industry executive who currently serves as chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment Group, as an owner of traditional sports teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the world champion Golden State Warriors, not to mention Team Liquid, a franchise in the emerging world of e-sports. He has taught generations of UCLA students at UCLA Anderson School of Management and at UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television, and he was recently named a regent of the University of California.

But above all, Guber is a storyteller.

He believes deeply that powerful narrative is the driving force of success, whether that success manifests as a great film, a championship season or fulfilling career. Now, Guber’s personal narrative features a new chapter as he becomes a recipient of the UCLA Medal.

The UCLA Medal, established in 1979, is the highest honor for extraordinary accomplishment that may be bestowed upon an individual by the university. Previous recipients include national and international leaders in government, education, science, industry and the arts, as well as men and women who have helped UCLA become one of the world’s preeminent universities. Earlier honorees include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (B.A. ’69), Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun, Blackrock Founder and CEO Larry Fink (B.A., ’74, ’76), civil rights icon and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, former Czech President Vaclav Havel and many others.

The ceremony held in Guber’s honor took place at the on-campus home of UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, who hosted a gathering of Guber’s friends and family, along with university guests that included three UC Regents and members of the UCLA Anderson and TFT communities. Guber maintains a close relationship with both schools, and is a board member of Anderson’s Center for Management of Enterprise in Media, Entertainment & Sports. He also co-teaches a popular annual leadership course with UCLA Anderson Dean Judy Olian.

“Peter is as passionate about his teaching as he is every other aspect of his career,” Block said in presenting Guber with the medal. “It’s clear that he values the opportunity to contribute and prepare the next generation for success, whether it’s in entertainment, sports or any number of other industries. His commitment is evident in the fact that, despite all he’s worked on throughout his career, Peter has never — to anyone’s knowledge — missed a year of teaching.”

Block also noted that Guber has served as a member of the UCLA Foundation Board of Trustees. “We all thank you tonight, Peter, for playing such a vital role here at UCLA and with the UC; we are deeply grateful for all you have done for UCLA, UC and beyond,” the chancellor said.

During his remarks, Guber said he was honored to teach and mentor UCLA students. “To be able to help students is a gift. The way they learn, the way they ask questions. When you see how you can touch people, it can change your life, he said.

“I dedicate myself to the years ahead to do even better.”

“Peter Guber is extraordinarily deserving of the UCLA Medal, the most prestigious honor our university bestows,” Olian said. “Peter has been a trailblazer in entertainment, sports and business, with a string of successes that few achieve in one, let alone multiple fields. Remarkably, throughout his very hectic professional career, he has always taught at UCLA. With his hunger for lifelong  learning, his intellectual curiosity, broad knowledge of business and entertainment, and infectious enthusiasm, he has impacted generations of young people. We are so lucky that Peter's passion for education has been directed toward UCLA, and I am thrilled that he is being recognized with this special honor."

UCLA Anderson Veterans Discuss Culture, Transitions and Supporting the Troops

Jared Kerntke (’18) and Hagai (Guy) Nir (’18) currently serve as co-presidents of the Anderson Veterans Association. The organization’s membership cuts across the board to include students from UCLA Anderson’s full-time, fully employed and executive programs. The group’s membership is not limited to veterans of the United States armed forces, vets from around the world are welcome.

The relationship between the veteran community and the civilian population is part of the current news cycle, the country carrying on a very public discussion on what it means to “support the troops.” Nir and Kerntke were gracious enough to sit down with the UCLA Anderson Blog team to share their views on recent events and life at Anderson for those who’ve served.

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Q: To begin, why don’t you both tell our readers about your military careers?

Kerntke: I was in the Marine Corps for six years as a supply officer. I spent two years in Japan, three years in San Diego and one year all over. I joined straight out of college. I did not do ROTC, so I guess it was a little unusual in that regard. It was great. I love the Marines. I got out (of the Marines) in June and I started (at Anderson) in August. (I did) undergrad at Penn State.

Nir: I was in the Israeli Defense Forces. I was born and raised in Israel so there's mandatory service for us, but when you apply to a Special Forces unit you go through a qualification course. I got accepted to the Special Forces so I had to sign up for more years. The Israeli system is a bit different. You don’t go in as officers; rather, we join the ranks and then you get promoted. Then I was selected to go to the NCO course, and after that was selected to go to the IDF’s Officers Academy, coming out as a platoon commander. After three years I was promoted to company commander. Overall, I served almost five years active and seven years reserve, coming out as a major.