Nikolas Ortega, Berkeley Haas MBA Class of 2027
Age: 28
Hometown: Cali, Colombia | Long Island, New York
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Wesleyan University | Economics & Latin American Studies with an International Relations Certificate
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Senior Account Manager & Public Policy Manager at Google (2019-2024); Venture Capital Fellow & Generalist Operator at Various Startups (2024-2025)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I made the decision to pursue my MBA to transition from big tech employee to early-stage startup operator, ultimately positioning myself to pursue my own startup. Returning to school has granted me unparalleled access to researchers, world-renowned professors, and leaders across government and the private sector to validate ideas around geopolitically consequential technologies. The timing couldn’t be more critical. Given the rapid pace of AI innovation, mounting government debts following COVID-19 spending, and challenges to the U.S.-led economic order, this is the opportune moment to reimagine our future. The hope, optimism, and intellectual energy found on university campuses, like UC Berkeley, provides the ideal catalyst to forge a new paradigm.
Why did you choose Berkeley Haas? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose UC Berkeley Haas for three compelling reasons: its clear values embodied in the Defining Leadership Principles (DLPs), Berkeley’s broader mission to “push the boundaries of knowledge, challenge convention, and expand opportunities to create the leaders of tomorrow,” and its location in the San Francisco Bay Area—the epicenter of technological innovation and entrepreneurship. As someone focused on emerging technologies and their ethical deployment, I needed a program that wouldn’t just teach me business fundamentals but would challenge me to become a leader while building coalitions for positive change. Haas’s commitment to “Confidence Without Attitude” and “Beyond Yourself” resonated deeply with how my mother raised me, to learn from everyone regardless of their title/status and to lead with integrity.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2027?
I’m a super connector who builds bridges others don’t see. My career has been defined by uniting people across seemingly incompatible worlds. From small business owners and product leads, tech executives and government regulators, VCs and pre-revenue founders, to established alumni and first-generation students. I actively translate between these worlds to forge new opportunities for everyone involved. Additionally, as an immigrant from Colombia with a liberal arts academic background, my ability to think critically, communicate clearly, and build cross-functional teams has become my greatest strength in tech. I’ve navigated C-level boardrooms and investor meetings where I wasn’t expected to belong, learning to find authentic common ground across vastly different lived experiences. I aspire to help others do the same.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
My first time seeing Bad Bunny in concert in 2023, I confidently walked into the Oakland Arena without a physical ticket, because I was told it was waiting at will call inside. Well the security let me in but the plot twist: the will call booth was outside the arena… and my coworkers actually had my ticket the whole time. I eventually found them and got my ticket, but I guess I truly espoused “Confidence Without Attitude” in that moment, even though I was completely wrong! It just made the show that much more memorable.
Post-MBA career interests:
I intend to be one of the first non-technical operators—and eventually a co-founder—at a startup built on emerging technologies and open-source research. I’m currently exploring labs and initiatives across UC Berkeley to identify areas where the research and its commercialization pathway have sufficient traction and conviction. Typically, MBAs aren’t hired at such an early stage, but I’m making the case for myself. This is the stage in my life to take calculated risks, add maximum value, and build something meaningful. My career at Google taught me how to scale. My time in the VC ecosystem taught me how to evaluate potential. Now, I want to be in the room where innovation happens.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
I would absolutely take the time to visit campus and speak with current students, both first and second years, in addition to established alumni. This due diligence allowed me to see past statistics, rankings, and glossy websites to understand what I could truly expect from my MBA experience. I cannot stress enough how important it is to attend a school that aligns with your values and where you can see yourself as an active participant in the community. Your classmates will become your future business partners, confidantes, and lifelong friends. Make sure you understand how you can give back to the campus community and how the program will push you to grow in ways you didn’t anticipate.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything. I was fortunate to be a Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) MBA fellow, which provided invaluable coaching, campus visits, and community support throughout the process. MLT complimented my own outreach to faculty members and recent graduates at each school, giving me a comprehensive understanding of each program’s culture beyond what current students and alumni had already shared. By the time I reached my interviews, I felt extremely comfortable articulating not just why I wanted an MBA, but specifically why each school aligned with my goals and values. That authenticity came through because I’d done the work to truly understand each program I applied to during my cycle.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
If I could skip any part, it would be the endless anxiety of waiting for decisions after interviews. The period between submitting applications and hearing back felt eternal!
What is your initial impression of the Berkeley Haas students/culture/community?
It has lived up to its reputation completely. The DLPs aren’t just marketing! They’re real and my classmates embody them fully. I’m continually amazed by how accomplished my peers are, yet despite their personal and professional achievements, everyone maintains low egos and operates with genuine collaboration. It proves you can be high-achieving without being cutthroat, ambitious without being arrogant. That’s the kind of community I wanted to be part of, and it’s been even better than I imagined.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I’ve joined LAHBA (Latin American and Hispanic Business Association), ALMA (Association for the Latinx MBA Advancement), Haas Tech Club, Haas Wine Club, Haas Entrepreneurs Association, and the Consortium Club. I’m also hoping to get involved with the MBA Association (Haas’ MBA student government) in some capacity!
What is one thing you have learned about Berkeley Haas that has surprised you?
I previously lived in San Francisco, so I thought I knew the Bay Area well. But I’ve been genuinely surprised by my quality of life in Berkeley as a city. The weather is incredible, the walkability and bike-ability are outstanding, and the local restaurants and establishments create a real sense of community. I love biking or walking to campus surrounded by lush flora and quaint streets. As a history nerd, I’ve also been fascinated learning about everything that led to Berkeley being founded as the first institution in the UC system—hence our moniker “Cal.” Our school pride is also infectious, GO BEARS!
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m excited to continue to immerse myself in the research and entrepreneurial communities on campus. The privilege of attending UC Berkeley is that it’s a world-renowned research institution, and being back in this ecosystem is energizing. I think it’s easy to stay within the MBA bubble, but I encourage every business student to branch out into other areas of their parent institution. Some of the most transformative partnerships and ideas emerge at the intersection of business, technology, policy, and research! Thankfully for me, Berkeley offers unparalleled access to all of those worlds.
