Meet an Innovator: Donald Bullock
Donald brings a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds with him to the Italia Innovation community, with an undergrad degree in both finance and Southeast Asian studies, five years of experience working in advertising and marketing at Google, and his knowledge of computer science languages. Donald wants the future to be a world where everyone has equal opportunities regardless of their background. Therefore, he hopes to use his management skills to be in a role where he can make impactful decisions without bias. This summer he is excited to step outside of the comfort of the classroom and into the risk and uncertainty that comes with working in constantly dynamic situations in the real world.
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Current city of residence: Berkeley, California, USA
School: University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business
Area of study: MBA
Languages you speak: English, Thai, Spanish, Lao, Portuguese, Korean, ASL
Role model: King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand
Favorite product or invention: Google Drive
Something you can’t live without: Sense of fashion
Favorite social media platform: Instagram
Articulate yourself in a few words?
I am an East Coast American who thought he wanted to work in finance in undergrad, but ended up in media and advertising at Google. I have traversed my way across the U.S., from Chicago to San Francisco. Currently, get my MBA where I hope to learn more on marketing, data analytics, and whatever else piques my interest.
What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now?
Developing a go-to-market strategy for an IoT startup in Hong Kong. I am working on a team through Haas’ International Business Development course and will be in Hong Kong for three weeks implementing.
What excites about the Italia Innovation Program?
The industries and sectors under which the partner companies fall are those that I’ve only imagined working in, especially the Fashion and Wine and Spirits industries. In addition to the companies themselves, I’m excited about gaining real-life experience. In business school, you learn many problem-solving methodologies and strategies through cases. I’m excited about stepping outside the comfort of the classroom and into the risk and uncertainty that comes with working in constantly dynamic situations in the real world.
What is your driving force, the vision that guides your thoughts and actions?
The drive to suceed against all odds keeps me motivated and helps me to motivate others when they may feel the odds are against them. It helps me to consistently go out of my comfort zone to demonstrate to others that you don’t have to fit a certain mold to succeed in attaining a certain goal, that all goals are achievable.
What aspect of yourself adds the most value to the world?
My dad is Thai and African-American and my mom is Native American and Caucasian. My diverse ethnic background has allowed me to empathize with different communities, especially has it relates to race relations in the United States.
How would you like to use your talents and energy to make an impact?
I want the future to be a world where everyone has equal opportunities regardless of your background. Therefore, I hope to use my management skills to be in a role where I make impactful decisions without bias.
What would you like other participants to know about yourself?
I’m a calligrapher who aspires to become a member of the Master Penmen Society.
