Sophia Ware

ENVR S-238 Section 1, CRN 35987 Sustainability and Impact Investments

Conduct due diligence and ESG analysis for Berkeley’s Scholars of Finance Impact Investment Fund, evaluating companies that align financial performance with measurable social and environmental outcomes. Completed the Leadership Development Program (LDP) and Finance Bootcamp, strengthening technical finance skills and ethical leadership grounded in values-based decision-making. Applied these competencies to deepen my expertise in sustainable finance, integrating ESG principles into investment strategies. Participated in the Scholars of Finance Conference in partnership with the Stanford chapter, expanding my network and engaging with leaders shaping the future of finance. Built mentoring relationships with finance professionals and connected with Scholars across higher education to explore career paths that align capital markets with environmental and social impact.

ClimateCAP 2025 Summit Student Lead – Managed the Whova event platform and supported conference operations for a 500+ attendee global summit on climate and capital convened by Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. ESG in the MBA Curriculum – Reviewed and documented sustainability and ESG content across the MBA curriculum for submission to the Financial Times rankings. UC Berkeley Green Grounds Certification – Led data collection and analysis to advance UC Berkeley’s bid for Re:Wild’s Gold-level Green Grounds Certification (95% pesticide-free, organically managed campus). Sustainability Communications – Updated the Haas Sustainability website and built a new donor recognition page to highlight partners advancing sustainability initiatives. Zero Waste & Campus Ecology Projects – Supported efforts toward TRUE Zero Waste certification, pollinator gardens, and sustainable campus operations.

Researched and co-authored a case study with Prof. Omar Romero-Hernandez on ESG strategy, examining the tensions between global sustainability standards and local supplier realities as a form of neocolonialism. The case was piloted at Haas in Summer 2025 and will be published Winter 2025.

Co-wrote GRG’s 2022 Social Responsibility Report by restructuring, increasing transparency, and correcting data for companies including Shake Shack, Panda Express, and Toks. Redefined Grupo Restaurantero Gigante’s (GRG) Social Responsibility Reports by establishing a new transparency standard for future reports. Collaborated with the Gigante Foundation to provide on-site evaluation and support to ongoing social responsibility projects within GRG by meeting with producers and factory employees, assessing and communicating their needs to the CEO of the Gigante Foundation and GRG staff.

Led a team of 4 consultants to compare Guess?, Inc.'s internal gender sensitivity practices with industry standards to identify areas for potential enhancement and leverage insights from internal analysis to develop external communication strategies and market approaches that highlight Guess?, Inc.'s commitment to gender sensitivity, focusing on product offerings and community initiatives.

Developed an incentive model to motivate dairy farmers in Nestlé’s supply chain to implement more sustainable farming practices to keep emissions reductions in the Nestlé value chain.

Advisor to Floras on sustainable and just practices in the voluntary carbon market. Floras is a startup under UC Berkeley's Startup Incubator, SkyDeck. This internship is part of UC Berkeley Haas's Accelerating Careers in Entrepreneurship (ACE) certification program.

Supported communication between the CS, development, and marketing teams. Helped with the transition process for Self Service clients to become "no-touch".

College Credit Awarded ENVR S-161/4 Grade: A DCE

Activities and societies: President of Piedmont Environmental Club, CA 4 Climate Literacy Sierra Club Youth Leader, Co-Chair of Students for Solar, Piedmont Connect Student Liaison, Piedmont Evergreen Eco Ambassador, Bay Area Youth Climate Summit Council Member, PHS Pep Band Conductor, Survivors of Sexual Assault and Allies Group Leader, Consent Educator, PHS Sexual Assault Response Policy Coordinator. Awards & Honors: Music Director's Award, Urban Plan Sustainable Development Award, 4-year Honor Roll, EXPO Award Recipient. Cumulative GPA: 4.135

COURSES: Sustainable Business in the Anthropocene: Frameworks for Circular Economy Principles of Investment Finance HIGHLIGHTS: Earned a study abroad grant from the Nordic Center at UC Berkeley with support from the Scan Design Foundation Won 1st place in the VELUX Circular Economy Challenge, a case competition hosted by Copenhagen Business School, developing biomimicry-inspired sustainability strategies for VELUX, a global leader in roof windows and skylights Traveled to VELUX Headquarters to present recommendations to company executives and sustainability leaders Collaborated with international peers on applying Nordic sustainability frameworks to global business models