Kayle Kane, Berkeley Haas MBA Class of 2028
Age: 29
Hometown: Aurora, Colorado
Undergraduate Institution and Major: UCLA 2019, Bachelors of Science, Psychobiology
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Cloudmed, Revenue Cycle Consulting Associate (2019-2023); UCHealth, Outcomes & Operational Intelligence Associate (2023-2026)
Why did you make the decision to attend business school? Why now?
I wanted to go to business school to 1/ get new foundational skills. As a psychobiology pre-med major, I didn’t have the business language to communicate in the workplace. I have never taken accounting, economics, statistics, finance… the list goes on. I needed those foundational skills to keep growing professionally. And 2/ and more importantly, I wanted to sit at bigger tables and solve harder problems. Our world is currently in a time of extreme change and extreme disparities, with large problems that need to be solved sooner rather than later. I didn’t want to just be on the sidelines waiting to see how things would pan out in the next 10-20-50 years; I wanted to be at the tables and in the rooms. What better time to get my feet wet?
Why did you choose Berkeley Haas? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I chose Berkeley Haas for its warm culture, its proximity to Silicon Valley/tech/AI Frontier Labs/capital deployment/Redwood Trees (everything, really!), and its very highly integrated MBA/MPH dual degree program led by Kim MacPherson. No other top business school has all three of these things and does them well. I’m grateful to have had this option.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2028?
I see myself as a hostess, a connector, and a relationship builder. I interned at Berkeley SkyDeck Fund ahead of starting at Haas, which allowed me to get integrated into the community earlier and faster. This allowed me to throw an event at orientation that was highly rewarding. I was able to bring the Class of 2028 together before any clubs or formal organizations, and it felt right. I hope to continue building community for the Class of 2028 throughout my time at Haas and for years after.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that didn’t get included on your application:
I did gymnastics growing up! I did gymnastics from the parent-taught classes (age ~2 years old) through high school (18). Gymnastics is a huge part of who I am today. It helped me learn how to be a teammate in the good times and the bad times; it helped me learn the importance of discipline; and it taught me that moving my body is everything. I’m grateful to my coaches and teammates, who are family, for being such a big part of this chapter, now more than 10 years ago.
Post-MBA career interests:
Post-MBA, I’m interested in healthcare investing, particularly at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and equity. I’m looking to pivot into venture capital to support female founders and be mentored by other female funders. I’ve seen healthcare from a few different angles through my work in revenue cycle consulting, healthcare strategy and operations, and now venture capital through Berkeley SkyDeck. Long term, I hope to sit at bigger tables and help deploy capital toward companies and ideas that can actually move healthcare forward.
Advice for Current Prospective Applicants:
Despite all the things going on, put your head down, get through the GRE, do the application. It is worth it. Just do it! There will never be a “right time.”
–What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process?
Do the deep reflection! Going to business school was a really big decision for me. It meant quitting a job I really loved, leaving Boulder, Colorado, for Berkeley, California (definitely a great trade-off, but an adjustment), and making a big financial commitment, both by taking myself out of the job market for 2.5 years and paying for school. I needed the application process to self-reflect and really determine what were the key things driving me, what were my short-term goals, and what were my long-term goals.
–What is one thing you would change or do differently?
I wish I took the GRE/GMAT sooner. It was very stressful to race against the Round 1 and then Round 2 deadlines while studying for the GRE. I personally took the GRE three times (I swore I was never going to be this person, but alas!). You never know when it will be the “right time” to apply to school, and I wish I had the test score in my back pocket for “when the time was right,” so I could be heads-down in the other parts of the application.
–What is one part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it?
I would have liked to skip the video essay! No one likes to hear themselves talk 🙂 In order to get through it, I practiced, practiced, practiced. I recited my “What Makes Me Feel Alive” video essay in the mirror and via recording multiple times. It’s hard to get used to recording yourself!
What is your initial impression of the Haas students/culture/community?
My initial impression is that everyone is incredibly open, warm, and willing to help – truly. It is amazing. People genuinely want to get to know each other, help each other, and make the most of the two years we have together. I think that’s what has made Haas feel like home so quickly.
Also, everyone is amazing!!! Each student really brings something extremely unique and valuable to the table. Every single person I talk to has an amazing, and often worldly, background with deep expertise. I am humbled to be in their presence.
What student organizations have you joined/are you hoping to join and why?
I’m going to join the Haas Healthcare Association (HHA) as the VP of Conference to help plan the annual HHA Conference. I hope to bring in many female founders and funders. I will also be continuing my time with Berkeley SkyDeck as a SkyDeck Venture Fellow, focusing on healthcare investing and fair capital deployment. I’ll also join Berkeley Female Founders & Funders, the Venture Capital Club, and the Wine Club!
What is one thing you have learned about Haas that has surprised you?
I love the cohorts! I came into Haas not sure what to expect out of the cohorts, especially because every school has something similar. However, Haas’ is curated, meaningful, and small. They set us up via Teams@Haas with an executive coach so that our group has the tools for success. I didn’t expect to feel as close to my cohort as quickly as I have, and I really like having a smaller group of people within the larger Haas community.
What is one thing you are most excited about in your first year?
I’m excited to meet “the people I’m going to Haas with.” Everyone says it’s about the people, and I am leaning in. I can’t wait to make meaningful connections, build deep friendships, and cherish everyone in my class. I know I will love each person.
