Bringing Berkeley Business Analysis Insights to the Hydrogen, E-Fuels Economy

When you’ve worked in the energy industry for two decades, you might think you’ve seen it all. But for José Ignacio Nonay, learning never stops—especially when it comes to leading innovation in renewable energy.

“I wanted to learn a structured methodology for analyzing and solving everyday business challenges more effectively,” José says. “In my job leading front office commercial structuring for hydrogen and its derivative at Moeve, I regularly need to reach agreements with both internal and external stakeholders. Your business analysis certificate has equipped me with useful tools such as risk matrices and balanced scorecards, which have helped me design project phases more efficiently and make better decisions.”

A Career Charged With Energy and Purpose

Based in Spain, José has spent most of his professional life in the energy sector, where he’s taken on roles in management control, risk control and hedging strategy, and also served as CFO of the Huelva Crude Oil Refinery.

For the past 12 years, he’s been at Moeve, a company driving the future of clean energy. His current work sees him as responsible for project development, stakeholder engagement and financial planning—”essentially overseeing how hydrogen and other green molecules are positioned commercially.”

Even for an experienced leader like José, mastering new analytical approaches became key to tackling the fast-changing challenges of his field. That’s what led him to our Certificate Program in Business Analysis.

I appreciated the online format because it allowed me to flexibly manage my time and balance my work and study commitments.

Why Business Analysis?

Across industries, business analysts bridge the gap between data, strategy and execution. They help teams identify problems, model potential solutions and turn business goals into measurable results.

Our certificate offers a practical pathway for both career starters and experienced professionals to develop analytical thinking and project management skills—assets that employers consistently rank as critical in today’s job market.

For José, our certificate’s courses offer a blend of rigor and real-world relevance, which made the choice simple. “I chose this certificate because of the strong reputation and experience of the instructors, the real-world case studies included in the coursework, and the university’s solid background and expertise in the field,” he says. “I was looking to gain practical skills that I could immediately apply in my work.”

Like many of our students, José balanced his studies with a full-time job.

“I was working full time while taking the courses,” he says. “For most of the coursework and assignments, I prepared them during evenings and weekends, balancing them with my job responsibilities.”

The program’s flexible online structure made that possible. “I appreciated the online format because it allowed me to flexibly manage my time and balance my work and study commitments.”

A Global Classroom of Thinkers and Doers

For José, one of the highlights of the experience was the diversity of his classmates.

“I found the courses very enriching, especially the participation in discussion blogs around topics proposed by the instructors,” he says. “The diversity of perspectives from fellow students, based on their different backgrounds, added great value to the discussions and helped me see topics from multiple angles.”

That kind of exposure to different industries and viewpoints mirrors what students might experience in a consulting team or strategy meeting. Whether someone works in health care, tech, finance or energy, the fundamental skill of business analysis—turning complex challenges into actionable plans—translates across every sector.

The diversity of perspectives from fellow students, based on their different backgrounds, added great value to the discussions and helped me see topics from multiple angles.

From Coursework to Career Impact

José didn’t wait until after completing the certificate to start applying what he learned.

“The certificate helped me apply analytical frameworks during work hours for quick problem-solving sessions,” he enthuses. “It’s been highly rewarding to acquire new business analysis techniques that allow me to approach problems with fresh perspectives and add value to my organization.”

Those frameworks—like risk matrices, balanced scorecards and stakeholder maps—are central to the curriculum. Each tool gives students a way to clarify business requirements, evaluate trade-offs and make data-driven recommendations.

For someone leading high-stakes energy projects, those insights translate directly into improved decision-making and communication.

Professionally, José’s investment in continued learning also signals something deeper: agility. As industries shift toward renewable energy and sustainability, leaders who combine technical knowledge with analytical, strategic and communication skills are best positioned to drive innovation.

When asked what advice he’d give to someone just starting the certificate, José doesn’t hesitate.

“My advice would be to stay organized and allocate regular time for study,” he relates. “Engage actively in discussions and apply what you learn to your own work experience—it makes the concepts more tangible and meaningful. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and collaborate with your peers.”

His approach highlights one of the biggest keys to success in a flexible online program: discipline and connection. The more you apply concepts in real time, the faster they become second nature.

So where does José see himself in the next decade?

“In five to 10 years, I see myself continuing to grow within the energy sector, especially in green and biomolecules,” he says. “I aim to be involved in driving innovation and sustainable solutions, especially in renewable energy and its derivatives.”

With his mix of executive experience and business analysis expertise, that future looks bright—and green.

For José, earning the certificate wasn’t just an academic milestone—it was a catalyst.

“Personally, I am very proud to have earned a certificate from a prestigious university like Berkeley,” he says. “Professionally, it’s been highly rewarding to acquire new business analysis techniques that allow me to approach problems with fresh perspectives and add value to my organization.”