TOUCH A HEART NEWSLETTER | AUGUST 12, 2026
Business as a Force for Good
This summer, we had the privilege of welcoming Grace C., an MBA student at UC Berkeley Haas, through the Farber Fellowship, a Redefine Alliance (formerly REDF) program that places emerging business leaders with mission-driven organizations.
Working alongside our team, Grace helped explore growth opportunities for Baker's Heart, including wholesale partnerships, corporate gifting, new products, and financial planning. But she says the greatest lesson she gained wasn't found in a spreadsheet.
"The most important thing I learned was how to interpret the numbers differently," she shared. "In a traditional business, time spent slowing down, teaching a task again, or giving someone room to build confidence might be labeled as inefficiency. At Baker's Heart, that time is the point."
Throughout the summer, Grace came to see that our mission is woven into every decision we make. "The mission is not something sitting beside the business," she explained. "It lives inside the business, including its costs, labor model, and everyday decisions."
Grace also reflected on how the experience reshaped her understanding of leadership. "Consulting taught me how to structure a complicated problem and work toward an answer," she said. "Touch A Heart taught me to ask whether that answer truly fits the people who must carry it forward."
As her fellowship comes to a close, Grace shared that what she'll remember most is how personally our team carries the mission. "Conversations that began with pricing or production almost always came back to people," she said.
Mahalo, Grace, for sharing your talents, curiosity, and heart with us this summer. We're grateful for the tools and insights you leave behind and wish you all the best as you continue your studies and future career. As Grace reminded us, businesses can truly be a force for good when people remain at the center of every decision.