Matt Atkin ’08
“The people that I walked away with after my UCLA experience were family. I’ve gone to their weddings. I’ve gotten to travel the world with them. I’ve hired them. They’ve hired me. We’ve done it all together. To me, giving back to UCLA is all about the Bruin community that transcends every piece of my life to this day.”
Matt Atkin studied Business Economics with a minor in Spanish at UCLA and graduated in 2008. He served as the Alumni Scholars President and maintained active involvement with them all four years of his time at UCLA. After graduation, Matt pursued a career in investment banking and transitioned to an early startup called Uber. As one of the first 100 employees, he worked alongside the co-founder of Uber and fellow Bruin, Travis Kalanick. Matt later led global expansion for CloudKitchens — another startup headed by Kalanick. Most recently, Matt co-founded a venture firm called, Blue Lion.
“I feel so tied to UCLA. From my studies in Business Economics to my experience in Alumni Scholars to studying abroad to camping outside of Pauley Pavilion for first-row basketball seats — my fondest memories and greatest personal and career development came from being surrounded by Bruins.”
Matt has been a passionate donor, giving to UCLA every year since 2008. When reflecting on his very first gift, Matt thought about the impact that fellow alumnus Rosalind Scherer '76 — affectionately known to many as "Roz" — had on his life.
“When I was chosen to be the President of the Alumni Scholarship Club (ASC), I had the biggest imposter syndrome of all time. There were more than 700 members, all of whom were incredible leaders themselves, and I couldn’t believe that they wanted me to lead them. Thank goodness for Roz Scherer. Roz served as the UCLA Alumni Association’s Director of Alumni Scholarships, and was nothing short of a world-class mentor to leaders within ASC. With her support, I was confident I could successfully step up into the role as ASC President. The summer prior to my year as ASC President, we learned that Roz was sick. Within a mere few weeks, she suddenly passed from brain cancer. Losing someone as legendary as Roz was beyond difficult, but the UCLA family stepped up during that time. Students and alumni came together as a family to make sure I had the support I needed to lead and that Alumni Scholars could run smoothly somehow without her there in person.”
Matt gives to honor the Bruin community that he loves and the people who have impacted his life forever, like Roz. He hopes to inspire a similar experience for current and future students through his generosity.
“I can only hope that through my giving, students of any socioeconomic status and any academic interest can experience the lifelong impact of UCLA the way that I have.”