MESM 2026
Pronouns: she/her
Bio
Karlie Hayes graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science and minors in English and Environmental Systems and Society. Through her undergraduate career, she became intrigued by the role that sustainability plays in large institutions. As a Zero Waste intern with UCLA Facilities Management, Karlie developed educational materials and implemented campus-wide sustainability programs, including the Move Out program which diverted dorm waste from the waste stream. Karlie sought to learn more about waste reduction as a marketing strategy intern at USEFULL, a reusable takeout container company. Upon graduation, Karlie transitioned to a full-time role at USEFULL, where she created marketing and communications materials and analyzed program usage data. These experiences deepened Karlie's passion for environmental issues and inspired her to learn more about the role that sustainability plays in the private sector. At Bren, Karlie is specializing in Business and Sustainability with a concentration in Strategic Environmental Communications. She hopes to leverage her experiences at Bren to lead companies towards integrating sustainable practices into their operations.