About

Berkeley’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem extends across virtually every corner of campus and the broad Cal community.

It’s no wonder that Forbes called UC Berkeley, known for its ethos of innovation and entrepreneurship, “Start-up University”: According to Pitchbook, Berkeley is the #1 public university in producing venture-backed start-ups (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023). Cal’s Innovator platform helps connect alumni entrepreneurs to the breadth and depth of its innovator ecosystem through engagement opportunities like peer networking events, panels and forums, brokered connections, and mentoring and advising opportunities.

Berkeley alumni — including inventors and entrepreneurs like Apple’s legendary co-founder Steve Wozniak ’86, VMware co-founder Diane Greene ’88, and visionary business leaders like Warby Parker co-founder Dave Gilboa ’03 — have changed the world. What will YOU do next?

Our team

Our team, comprising staff from the alumni relations and philanthropy arms of University Development and Alumni Relations, can help guide you through the extensive innovation landscape of UC Berkeley. We have broad campus and alumni networks as well as experience across multiple campus areas.

  • We help stakeholders engage with Berkeley in mutually beneficial ways.
  • We facilitate connections among alumni, faculty, students, and key university staff.
  • We help alumni navigate the many Cal research programs, initiatives, groups, and events of interest to the innovation community.
  • We help develop philanthropic and corporate partnerships with Berkeley, especially through the Berkeley Founders’ Pledge.
  • We find creative, efficient ways to support Cal and to strengthen the Berkeley network.

To learn more, get in touch.

Rachel Barley
Rachel Barley
Senior Associate Director,
Alumni Innovator Engagement

Rachel leads the programmatic efforts of the Berkeley Innovators platform and the Berkeley Founders’ Pledge. She works closely with fundraiser colleagues to ensure a smooth transition for startup founders when they become ready to give to Cal.

Nathaniel Coghlan
Nathaniel Coghlan
Senior Director,
Bay Area Major Gifts

Nathaniel focuses on alumni in the Silicon Valley, particularly those in the technology and entrepreneurship space, helping them to build connections to campus and driving philanthropic support for programs that matter most to them.

JD.jpg
Jay Dillon
Chief Alumni Officer,
UDAR

Jay is energized by being the chief alumni strategist at the #1 public university in the world. A social scientist by training, he understands that building enduring relationships with alumni leads to increased engagement and philanthropy.

Contact Us

e.g., B.S. Chemistry ’96