Net Impact

Net Impact mobilizes new generations to use their skills and careers to drive transformational social and environmental change.

About our Club

Our Mission

The Graduate Chapter of the Net Impact Club is led by MBA students, but open to all graduate students at UC Davis who seek to drive environmental and social change on our campus, in our community and on our planet. 

Net Impact offers networking and educational opportunities that bring together students and alumni and encourage community involvement. From career treks to Social Entrepreneur Enablement Design Sprint (SEEDS), community volunteering events and Earth Day celebrations, we provide our members and the GSM community with a wide variety of opportunities to engage with one another in new and thought-provoking ways.

“In addition to its many accomplishments, the Davis team has spread the Net Impact message to the 120-person student body, creating a chapter that while small in number, is mighty in impact.”

- Liz Maw, Former CEO, Net Impact

UC Davis Graduate School of Management is perhaps the smallest chapter in Net Impact, yet pulled off participation in the Food Solutions Challenge, Net Impact Case Competition, was the only club in the program to lead orientation activities for incoming students, and accomplished the first-ever Overnight Career Trek that saw 20% participation from the entire full-time MBA student body.

Check out Former Net Impact Club President Daniel Student’s blog post about Net Impact’s events here

Meet our Board

	Kalina Springer Co-President With a background in cultural transformations, Springer is energized by the prospect of aligning operational excellence, technology, and innovation strategies with social impact initiatives. She is interested in topics such as social justice, upcycling, reducing plastic waste and chemical/toxic exposure, environmental conservation, animal rights, mental health, and disability advocacy. She competed in the annual Net Impact Case Competition in Boulder, CO, focused on diversity and inclusion, and also the Food Solutions Challenge focused on the United Nations’ goals to support female farmers in order to fight poverty and hunger globally. As Co-President of Net Impact’s Graduate Chapter, she hopes to get more graduate students creatively engaged in these types of conversations and activities, collaborating across departments, and finding ways to have a local impact. Connect on Linkedin
	Samantha Brill Co-President After seven years of working for a variety of non-profit organizations in New York City, Brill is excited to return to the classroom. With the goal of merging profit and impact, she is excited to be pursuing a finance track at the GSM focusing on topics such as - impact investing, green bonds, and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) while also advocating for green energy, food waste reduction, responsible waste management and sustainability. In her first year as a Net Impact club member, Brill competed in the Net Impact Case Competition, first annual Net Impact Career Trek and the Food Solutions Challenge. As Co-President of Net Impact’s Graduate Chapter, she is excited to engage with other students through the shared pursuit of responsible and sustainable business practices while also connecting with others who are equally passionate about making a difference. Together with Springer, Brill is looking forward to a year of learning from her fellow club members and collaborating to find new ways to reach our goals.  Connect on Linkedin
	Carter Hafter Vice President Coming from the renewable energy industry, Carter is excited to work with a group of people who share the same values of promoting social and environmental justice. With several years specializing in commercial solar, EV charging, and large scale energy storage, Hafter brings the perspective of aligning business and economic opportunities through sustainable and impactful projects. Having competed with his team of classmates in the 2020 Net Impact Case Competition, he is excited to work with more of his fellow students to promote ethical and sustainable thinking across different platforms. As the Vice President of the UC Davis Net Impact Graduate Chapter, he is looking forward to promoting both personal sustainability goals along with large scale changes towards a more sustainable future.  The Net Impact and Food & Wine Leadership Clubs joined forces to celebrate Earth Day with a written newsletter discussing some of the causes that we care about! Connect on Linkedin

Resources

Net Impact (National Organization)

Net Impact is an international nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire, educate, and equip individuals to use the power of business to create a more socially and environmentally sustainable world. Read more >

Energy Efficiency Center

The UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center aims to accelerate energy efficiency innovation and to stimulate the transfer of the technology into the marketplace. The center is uniquely poised to make significant contributions to this effort by supporting and energizing activities and expertise already well established at UC Davis. Read more >

Fun Fact: Did you know that Gallagher Hall, home to the Graduate School of Management is a Leed Certified building?

University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program: A Statewide Program within UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

The UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SAREP) was created through the grassroots efforts of organizations and individuals concerned about the environmental impacts of agriculture, the health of rural communities, and the profitability of family farming operations in California.

At the request of the California legislature, the University of California established SAREP with three mandates. Read more >

John Muir Institute of the Environment

The John Muir Institute of the Environment supports innovation and discovery aimed at solving real-world environmental problems. The institute’s faculty are committed to strengthening the scientific foundation for environmental decision making through collective entrepreneurship, a team-oriented approach that recognizes the complexities of environmental problems and the societal context in which they occur. Read more >

Orientation Retreat

Net Impact Graduate Chapter at UC Davis works closely with the Associated Students of Management to ensure that a socially and environmentally responsible theme is woven into the new student orientation. Past events have included weekend retreats to Lake Tahoe, where students toured the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center and the Tahoe Science Center; Yosemite National Park, where students stayed at the social venture Evergreen Lodge; a wine-tasting trip to an organic winery; a volunteer event at the local Boys & Girls Club; a “trial” case study focusing on diversity in the workplace; and an informal Big Idea Party where all club members had the option to share short presentations on an issue they care about.

Net Impact Annual Conference

Each year students have the opportunity to attend the Net Impact Annual Conference. Considered one of the premier events for students and professionals interested in socially and environmentally responsible business, the Net Impact North America Conference mobilizes members through an exciting array of keynotes, panels, case studies, simulations and special events. Participants gain a fresh perspective on the role of business in society and a new appreciation for their work as business leaders and their connection to a network of like-minded colleagues.

Board Fellows Program

The Board Fellows Program led by the Women in Leadership Club (WiL), but open to all UC Davis Graduate School of Management MBA candidates, matches students with the boards of nonprofit organizations. The program benefits both parties: students gain exposure to nonprofit organizations and a rewarding experience as a non-voting board member, and the participating nonprofit benefits from project or committee work, access to future business leaders with fresh perspectives, and affiliation with the Graduate School of Management.

Fellows work closely with trustees and executive directors, attending board meetings, serving on committees, and working on special projects. As a result, Fellows gain a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by nonprofit organizations, as well as the complexities of nonprofit management.