2020 Best & Brightest: Jordyn Elliott, U.C.-Berkeley (Haas)

Jordyn Elliott

University of California-Berkeley, Haas School of Business

I am a strong woman, a tough competitor, and an inclusive leader who always does her best.”

Fun fact about yourself: I am one-quarter Japanese!

Hometown: Hollywood, Florida

High School: Pine Crest School

Major: Business Administration

Minor: African American Studies

Favorite Business Course: The Pursuit of Meaningful Work

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Cal Women’s Division I Soccer Program

Captain and Four-Year Player

Awards: Leadership of a Champion (2020), Decorum of a Champion (2019 & 2020), Community Service of a Champion (2019)

Cal Athletics University Athletics Board and Gender, Equity, and Diversity Subcommittee 

Student Liaison 

I am one of two students nominated to serve on the board (Present)

Black Student-Athlete Committee

Communications Coordinator

One of four student-athletes chosen to attend the Black Student-Athlete Summit at the University of Texas, Austin (2018)

Nominated by faculty as one of the few select undergraduate women to attend Haas Women’s Empowerment Day (2017 & 2018)

Reach, Inclusion, Service, and Equity at Haas (RISE)

Steering Committee Member

Sports Business Group at Berkeley

Consultant

Cal Athletics

Youth Soccer Coach

Where have you interned during your college career?

Ingenio, LLC.                                                                                                                                      

San Francisco, CA

Marketing Intern, Summer 2019

Where will you be working after graduation?

Ingenio, LLC.

San Francisco, CA

Marketing Associate

What did you enjoy most about your business school? What I enjoyed most about Berkeley Haas is the community. Haas has a beautiful way of making you feel at home in what can often feel like an all-consuming Cal campus of 30,000 undergraduates. Through professional, academic, and social events, I have been able to develop meaningful relationships with my peers, professors, and advisors, and build collaborative skills to thrive amongst some of the brightest students on campus.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I gained from studying business is that there is no limit on the amount of creativity and innovation that an individual, a team, or a business can bring into the world. As a Haas student, I have been exposed to some of the most amazing, socially-innovative companies through guest lectures and elective courses. These experiences inspire me to keep reaching for what’s ahead and to keep pushing myself to learn more so that I can be a successful leader and contributor to society.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? I would advise a student to keep an open mind and major in business for the sake of learning about the world and how it operates under a consumer-driven society, rather than for the sake of claiming a business degree. I think the best way to benefit from a business education is to explore everything the field has to offer.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? ]My biggest surprise about majoring in business is seeing how driven my fellow classmates are. I am constantly surrounded by ambitious and brilliant students who genuinely care about how they will affect the world through the business they wish to conduct. They inspire me to keep learning, stay updated with the latest business trends, and have an impact on both my personal life and my future business career.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of my time spent on the Cal Women’s Soccer team. As a recruited walk-on who was redshirted my freshman year, I faced a ton of adversity. I started my career recovering from two ACL tears and faced more injury during my sophomore season. Regardless, I stayed engaged and invested with my team. I am so proud of all the hours of hard work I put into training, traveling, and competing at one of the highest levels of soccer. Also, I felt proud and honored that my teammates elected me as captain and that I received the Leadership of a Champion award my senior season. It was the cherry on top of my athletic career and overall personal development.

Which classmate do you most admire? I most admire my fellow classmate, Frances James. Ever since I met Frances during my freshman year, I was amazed at how involved she was in so many different parts of the Cal community. As the former president of the Haas Undergraduate Black Business Association (HUBBA), Frances organized countless networking events not only for the black community at Haas, but also for the rest of Cal’s black campus community as well. Frances’ impact is immeasurable. The list of things she has accomplished is too long for me to list, but she continually inspires me to be the best person that I can be.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would like to thank one of my greatest mentors and supporters, Professor Stephen Etter, for my success. Ever since I approached him as a sophomore applying to Haas, he has played an instrumental role in my life. Through guidance with the application process, supporting my identity as a student-athlete, and pushing me to participate in various external Haas events, Professor Etter has had a huge impact on the way I carry myself in the classroom, on the field, and in everyday interpersonal interactions in my community. I truly believe I would not have had most of the opportunities I have today without his personal mentorship over the last three years. I am forever grateful, Professor Etter!

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? The top two items on my professional bucket list are to be a leader and work in a field that really excites me. As someone who has served as a team captain for both my amateur and collegiate soccer career, I feel a natural drive to help lead the people around me. My dream is to lead a team, a department, or even a company to success that is contingent on the collaboration and effort of the whole. Secondly, as a black woman, much of my passion lies in the everyday experience of diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts in the world around us. This kind of work hits really close to heart, which I think is why it most excites me, fulfills me, and has the potential to be a crucial aspect of my future career.

What are your hobbies? My favorite hobby is traveling, as I feel it is one of the best ways to learn about the world around you and about yourself as a contributor to that world. In addition, I enjoy a good hike, a good book, a yummy meal, a pretty beach, a competitive sporting event, and being around the people who make me laugh and smile the most – my friends and family.

What made Jordyn such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2020?

“Jordyn Elliott is the strongest leader I have seen in my 25 years of teaching undergraduates at Berkeley. It’s rare for a student-athlete to take a leadership role outside of their sport. You have to have a strong conviction for the club’s cause and tenacious time-management skills. Not only was Ms. Elliott a captain for Cal’s soccer team but she also had a key role in an academic club on campus. Immediately after her final season this fall semester, she joined an external case competition team traveling to Indiana University to represent Haas and lead her team in competition. I anticipate Jordyn will have an exceptional career and, more importantly, make many contributions to society through her involvement in social impact organizations.”

Stephen Etter
Undergraduate and MBA Finance Lecturer 

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