Bridging Finance, Technology, and Innovation through the MFE Experience
Tuesday, 16 December 2025
10:30 AM EST
Zoom
Vaibhav Kumar
Alumni Berkeley MFE Program
UC Berkeley Haas MFE Vaibhav joined SGA in 2015 and is a Senior Quantitative Analyst. His responsibilities include alpha factor research as well as model and systems development. Prior to joining the firm, he created risk and stress testing models for Goldman Sachs' Market Risk division and co-founded Quark Analytics, a high frequency trading firm, where he developed a low latency trade execution environment for select exchanges. Mr.Kumar spent three years with Microsoft R&D as a software developer where he designed and developed network security modules for Windows 7 in C++ before pursuing a career in finance. He earned his Integrated Master in Mathematics and Computing from IIT Kharagpur and Master in Financial Engineering (MFE) from the University of California, Berkeley
Rahul Budhadev
Alumni Berkeley MFE Program
UC Berkeley Haas MFE Rahul Budhadev currently serves as Vice President at Morgan Stanley, specializing in Quantitative Risk within the Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) space. Previously, he led quantitative research at an ML/AI startup developing sophisticated private asset valuation models for institutional LPs. Prior to his entrepreneurial venture, Rahul honed his expertise as a Quantitative Associate at Blackstone's Alternative Asset Management (BAAM) division, focusing on performance analytics, portfolio valuations, and liquidity forecasting. His quantitative finance journey first began at Credit Suisse, where he developed expertise in XVA frameworks and derivative pricing models. Rahul earned his Master's in Financial Engineering (MFE) from UC Berkeley and is passionate about integrating advanced machine learning techniques with rigorous econometric methodologies to solve complex financial challenges.
Shreya Vontela
Alumni Berkeley MFE Program
UC Berkeley Haas MFE Shreya Vontela is a Principal Data Scientist at Capital One, where she leads AI and machine learning initiatives in the Home Loans analytics division. She focuses on building predictive modeling, NLP, and GenAI solutions that help modernize risk management, portfolio analytics, and regulatory compliance across large-scale financial systems. After graduating from the Master of Financial Engineering program at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, Shreya joined PennyMac and later Aspen Capital, where she worked on developing end-to-end frameworks for default prediction, prepayment modeling, and portfolio optimization. She currently applies this blend of quantitative finance and AI to drive innovation at Capital One. Originally from India, Shreya holds an MBA in Finance and Strategy from the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, and a B.Tech from BITS Pilani. Her journey from finance to applied AI reflects the interdisciplinary strength of the Berkeley MFE program and its ability to prepare graduates for the evolving world of data-driven finance.
Diane Nguyen
Director, Admissions & Marketing
UC Berkeley Haas MFE Diane Nguyen is the Director, Admissions & Marketing of the Berkeley MFE Program. She works with the admissions team and helps prepare students prior to joining the program. In addition, she provides support to the MFE students and program office.
Alumni Berkeley MFE Program
UC Berkeley Haas MFE Vaibhav joined SGA in 2015 and is a Senior Quantitative Analyst. His responsibilities include alpha factor research as well as model and systems development. Prior to joining the firm, he created risk and stress testing models for Goldman Sachs' Market Risk division and co-founded Quark Analytics, a high frequency trading firm, where he developed a low latency trade execution environment for select exchanges. Mr.Kumar spent three years with Microsoft R&D as a software developer where he designed and developed network security modules for Windows 7 in C++ before pursuing a career in finance. He earned his Integrated Master in Mathematics and Computing from IIT Kharagpur and Master in Financial Engineering (MFE) from the University of California, Berkeley
Alumni Berkeley MFE Program
UC Berkeley Haas MFE Rahul Budhadev currently serves as Vice President at Morgan Stanley, specializing in Quantitative Risk within the Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) space. Previously, he led quantitative research at an ML/AI startup developing sophisticated private asset valuation models for institutional LPs. Prior to his entrepreneurial venture, Rahul honed his expertise as a Quantitative Associate at Blackstone's Alternative Asset Management (BAAM) division, focusing on performance analytics, portfolio valuations, and liquidity forecasting. His quantitative finance journey first began at Credit Suisse, where he developed expertise in XVA frameworks and derivative pricing models. Rahul earned his Master's in Financial Engineering (MFE) from UC Berkeley and is passionate about integrating advanced machine learning techniques with rigorous econometric methodologies to solve complex financial challenges.
Alumni Berkeley MFE Program
UC Berkeley Haas MFE Shreya Vontela is a Principal Data Scientist at Capital One, where she leads AI and machine learning initiatives in the Home Loans analytics division. She focuses on building predictive modeling, NLP, and GenAI solutions that help modernize risk management, portfolio analytics, and regulatory compliance across large-scale financial systems. After graduating from the Master of Financial Engineering program at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, Shreya joined PennyMac and later Aspen Capital, where she worked on developing end-to-end frameworks for default prediction, prepayment modeling, and portfolio optimization. She currently applies this blend of quantitative finance and AI to drive innovation at Capital One. Originally from India, Shreya holds an MBA in Finance and Strategy from the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow, and a B.Tech from BITS Pilani. Her journey from finance to applied AI reflects the interdisciplinary strength of the Berkeley MFE program and its ability to prepare graduates for the evolving world of data-driven finance.
Director, Admissions & Marketing
UC Berkeley Haas MFE Diane Nguyen is the Director, Admissions & Marketing of the Berkeley MFE Program. She works with the admissions team and helps prepare students prior to joining the program. In addition, she provides support to the MFE students and program office.Interact with alumni of UC Berkeley's top-ranked Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) program to discuss their experiences and understand how you can prepare for a finance and data science career in the US. We will also discuss new trends emerging in the field and understand the opportunities that a Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) program in the US can open for you. If you are interested in a career in finance or data science, don't miss this opportunity!
Understand what the MFE offers
Learn how careers are supported
Get tips to apply successfully
Learn about the Berkeley HAAS experience
Program Insights & Success stories
Connect with alumni for first-hand perspectives and guidance
UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, established in 1898, is a global leader in business education, known for its innovation and excellence. Located in the heart of the Bay Area, Haas is positioned at the epicenter of technology and finance, offering students unparalleled access to industry leaders and cutting-edge research. With a student body of approximately 1,400 and a faculty of over 90 distinguished professors, Haas provides a dynamic learning environment. The school' s Master of Financial Engineering program is highly regarded for its integration of advanced quantitative methods and machine learning, equipping graduates with the skills to excel in a rapidly evolving finance landscape. Haas is consistently ranked among the top business schools globally, reflecting its commitment to leadership, entrepreneurship, and impact.
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