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At the Cal Alumni Chapter Leadership Conference, alums from across the country reflected on the university’s evolving landscape and strengthened the communities they lead beyond Berkeley.
At Alumni House, filmmakers gathered to talk about independent filmmaking. From student-led productions to a feature film twelve years in the making, the evening revealed how community, resourcefulness, and relentless persistence shape the path from idea to screen.
After witnessing textile waste in India as a child, Amrita Bhasin ’23 began questioning the systems behind overproduction. At Berkeley, she expanded on her experience through sociology and entrepreneurship. Today, she builds circular solutions that help retailers rethink excess and reduce waste at scale.
For Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, justice has never been a sideline pursuit. In this intimate interview with UC Berkeley journalism student Marquis Chambers ’26, the basketball legend traces a throughline from the civil rights era to today’s fight for democracy, urging young people to stay in the work for the long haul.
John Clamme joins the Cal Alumni Association as its next executive director and CEO, bringing decades of experience across higher education, alum relations and engagement, athletics, and campus partnership.
Environmental advocacy became a major part of Jones’ career when she recognized the disparities in retention of Black environmentalists in her field. She saw it as her duty to be the change she wanted to see.
Democratizing AI begins with people, not just platforms. Through stories of open access, invention, and dedication, the Berkeley Forward panel explored how technology grows stronger when more voices can shape it.
As a first-generation Cal alum, Daniela Bazán ’09 returned to Napa with a renewed sense of purpose, bridging her family’s Oaxacan legacy, sustainable land stewardship, and deep advocacy for farmworkers. Her story traces how Berkeley shaped the values she now carries into the heart of Napa Valley’s wine community.
Raised in Oakland and influenced by relatives on the Navajo Nation, Marlene Watson turned an eight-year-old’s promise into a life of engineering leadership and service. From navigating unequal math access to shaping Tribal infrastructure, her path reflects resilience, cultural strength, and a dedication to uplifting Native communities through STEM.
This year, the Cal Alumni Association leaned into a shared aspiration: becoming the #1 alumni association for the #1 public university. Interim Executive Director Kirk Tramble shares the plan.
Cal alum and author Lillian Zhang ’22 returned to Alumni House to unpack the personal journey and Gen Z-driven insights behind her book, The New Money Rules. The evening brought students and alums together for candid conversations on money, community, and building financial confidence.
This year’s Cal Gift Guide highlights gifts that give back, supporting student well-being, campus programs, and everyday Berkeley spirit through thoughtful picks and purposeful contributions.
