Meet the Michigan Ross MBA Class of 2020 - Poets&Quants

Experience matters.

Every employer expects it. Every MBA applicant covets it. Fact is, inexperience means learning curves, mistakes, and missed opportunities – costs that exceed returns. That’s why companies want people who can jump in, take action, and make an immediate impact. That’s exactly what the MBA program at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business is designed to do.

To many, business school is a time to step back, to absorb cases and models that’ll sharpen their analytical skills and shore up their weak spots. For Matt Hillman, a 2018 Ross MBA, his two years were hardly a “hiatus.” Instead, he enjoyed a hands-on lab, where he practiced what he learned on several companies projects – all while launching two startups and partnering with early stage firms. It is this type of experience that led Afua Aidoo, a first year from Ghana, to Ann Arbor.

LEARN IT BY DOING IT

“I wanted to experience growth, learning opportunities, ability to connect with a wide community of individuals, deep resources, ability to make mistakes, and learn in a seemingly “test” environment.”

Students in the Ross School of Business Winter Garden

Action-based. Hands-on. Experiential. These labels have all been slapped on the Ross MBA program. Dean Scott DeRue, however, prefers to apply a different simile to better reflect why Ross is so different from most peers. He equates the program to a teaching hospital. Here, students undergo rotations – experiential opportunities in various fields – where they can “try before [they] buy.” At the same time, DeRue notes, Ross devotes heavy resources to “mentorship, coaching, assessments, and feedback.” In company projects, Ross students aren’t just producing and practicing, but reflecting and refining. In the process, DeRue says, they gain those important extras: “the skills of resiliency, being tolerant of ambiguity, understanding how to learn from mistakes by actually doing it.”

Such experiences give Ross graduates a decided advantage when they join employers like Amazon or McKinsey, DeRue adds. “You’ve learned about yourself in a really fundamental way. Because we’re not only developing business people, we’re building human capability here.”

BANGA GOES FROM MARKETER TO MODEL TO GAMER

The Class of 2020 may be the most ‘capable’ yet. Who makes up this 420 member class? Take Juan Andres Turner. He started his career selling wind turbines in Peru before building energy frameworks for the World Bank. After graduating from Stanford – where he served as editor-in-chief of the Stanford Daily – Zach Zimmerman managed ad campaigns at Red Bull and Nike. At Flipkart, India’s answer to Amazon, Shivani Gupta managed planning, merchandising and marketing for the firm’s television arm. Olga Vilner Go is an Israeli army veteran and mother who was previously a nurse care coordinator responsible for 150 high-risk veterans. How is this for the circle of life? After studying at Princeton and working at BlackRock, Hollis Farris is returning to her hometown to earn her MBA.

Then again, Farris is no stranger to the road. As a teenager, she competed around the world as part of the USA National Field Hockey team. Angad Banga pulled double duty when he worked for Major League Soccer. Not only did he serve as the league’s senior coordinator for properties and events, but he also modeled for the ecommerce site and merchandise promotions. Sankalp Damani, an engineer by trade, sings and plays guitar. Chances are, Georgia Cassady has already inspired her classmates to use their leftover airline miles for a trip to her hometown of Enterprise, Alabama. “In the middle of Main Street,” she writes, “stands the world’s first monument built to honor a bug—an agricultural pest called the boll weevil.” (Perhaps Ann Arbor could do the same with the fish fly.)

According to Soojin Kwon, managing director of full-time MBA admissions, Ross is a place for students who “work hard and drop their egos and get things done.” This philosophy displays itself in the class’ pre-MBA achievements. Turner, for one, masterminded a financial reporting framework at the World Bank for the off-grid energy sector – a market that encompasses over a billion people who lack access to energy. At Major League Soccer, Banga launched the firm’s esports league and platform, which is now connected to 25 million gamers. Similarly, Zimmerman organized a content storehouse for Red Bull TV. Better yet, he partnered with 12 partner platforms, such as Apple and Google, to generate over three million downloads without any budget behind it.

Impressed? Wait until you hear about Damani’s stint at the Boston Consulting Group. Over two months, he implemented a retention strategy that resulted in a $70 million dollar turnaround for one banking client over two months. “This has now become a key strategy at BCG and I also worked with a developer team to build a white-labeled customer retention app to help BCG sell similar projects to other banks,” he says.

“GENUINE, HUMBLE, DOWN-TO-EARTH PEOPLE”

In a February interview with P&Q, Kwon shared that Ross sought students who challenged themselves, took risks, supported their peers and valued their perspectives. Based on early returns, the class fits this culture to a tee. Jane Roberts, fresh off a cycling trip from Seattle to Chicago, notices a “genuine openness to new experience” among her classmates. In contrast, Fernando Palhares, an engineer-turned-consultant from Brazil, lauds his peers for being supportive. “[People] want to see each other’s successes rather than simply seeing everyone around you as a roadblock to your own dream job.”

Exterior of Ross’ Kresage Library

Palhares was hardly alone in viewing his peers as team players. “In most of my visits,” Zimmerman recalls, I encountered some of the negative stereotypes that follow MBA students: hypercompetitive, boastful, and disconnected from the broader university community. But at Ross, I connected with genuine, humble, down-to-earth people who seemed to really support each other and consider themselves part of the greater University of Michigan community.”

This spirit extends beyond their class, adds Farris. “It’s absolutely true that Ross is a close-knit, collaborative, and supportive community.  An email with “Go Blue” to a current student or alumni inevitably receives a response within 24 hours – it’s incredible!”

AVERAGE GMATs EDGE UP FOUR POINTS

This has been a banner year thus far for Ross. In the March U.S. News MBA ranking, Ross tied with Berkeley Haas for the 7th spot – the first time the program had reached the Top 10 in 14 years. In the process, it leapfrogged rivals like Columbia, Dartmouth Tuck, and Yale SOM, thanks to $148K median pay packages and 97% placement within three months of graduation for the 2017 class. By the same token, Ross, along with Stanford GSB, were the only full-time MBA programs to be ranked among the best in every specialization surveyed by U.S. News. A testament to the program’s top-to-bottom excellence, Ross finished 3rd in both management and operations (and 4th in marketing and accounting).

It wasn’t just rankings where Ross shined. In August, it launched a part-time online MBA program. Four months earlier, it added an analytics concentration and will be christening a “Datathon” team competition through its Center for Value Chain Innovation later this school year.

It is a momentum, however, that didn’t fully carry over to the Class of 2020, statistically at least. During the 2017-2018 cycle, Ross received 297 fewer applications – with the program’s acceptance rate edging up two points to 27%. On the plus side, Ross’ average GMAT climbed four points to 720, with the median holding steady at the same number. The same was true of undergraduate GPAs, where Ross maintained its 3.5 score in both average and median. Demographically, Ross kept pace with its peers. 43% of the incoming class is comprised of women, the same percentage as Wharton, Yale SOM, and Berkeley Haas. The number also matches the 2019 Class, with female representation jumping by 10% over the past four classes. Like many peer programs, the percentage of international students slipped by 2%, as the percentage of underrepresented minority students stayed at 23% from the previous year.

In terms of academic and professional backgrounds, the 2020 Class is a bit different than its predecessors. The percentage of business and economics majors, for example, rose four points to 42%. That difference was made up by STEM and humanities majors, which each lost two points and comprise 30% and 28% of the class. Career-wise, finance and consulting represented the largest blocs of the class at 16%% each – a loss of 3% for the former and a gain for 3% for the latter. Healthcare and tech pros each account for another 10% share of the class.

LEARNING BUSINESS BY RUNNING A BUSINESS

What’s new at Ross in 2018? Well, the program is hardly resting on its laurels. According to DeRue, the Ross MBA is on a “mission to really reinvent the student experience.” As part of this, the school has gone all-in on integrating experiential learning into every corner of the curriculum. Notably, the school has adopted a manta where every student will have opportunities to start, advise or invest in businesses – along with leading a business unit.

“We feel that that’s going to prepare our students for the world that they’re going into,” DeRue explains, “which is certainly defined by dynamism and change and the need to be adaptive and thrive in the context of ambiguity.”

Go to next page for in-depth profiles of a dozen members of the Class of 2020.

University of Michigan, Ross School of Business

One way the program is doing this, Kwon shares, is through its Living Business Leadership Experience (LBLE). In this course, student teams partner with real companies to launch and run new business units. This includes full decision-making responsibility for areas like marketing, operations, supply chain, finance, and eCommerce. Not only do students practice what they learn in class, but they learn how these functions interrelate. More than that, Kwon adds, students encounter the pace and pressures of really running a business.

“One of the coolest things about it is that students get to see and experience first-hand how tough decision-making can be. You don’t always have complete information or buy-in from all stakeholders. How do you manage in the face of ambiguity? These are the kinds of challenges that students work through in a real business.”

“BUILDING BUSINESSES INSIDE BUSINESS SCHOOL”

The LBLE program started in 2017 as part of Ross’ legendary Multidisciplinary Action Project (MAP). Rooted in a partnership with Shinola – a Detroit-based luxury goods brand featuring watches, leather goods, and jewelry – Ross students successfully launched the company’s headphones line. It has since expanded to seven companies – with the goal being a dozen – that range from Ford Motors to the NRP Group, a leader in affordable housing. Consider the LBLE program – and the start, invest, advise, and lead framework in general – as a win-win; employers gain expertise as students accrue resume-ready experience – if not internships and offers from LBLE participants. That was a big part of its appeal to Jane Roberts, who is positioning herself for a leadership role after graduation.

“Ross’ dedication to giving students the opportunity to apply course material to benefit real organizations. MAP is the most obvious example, but the more recent partnership with Shinola is evidence of a continued emphasis on hands-on learning. This is a key factor for me because I want to enter my internship and full-time position with confidence in my ability to apply models and systems learned in class.”

MBA students in a Michigan’s Ross School of Business classroom

DeRue calls it “building businesses inside the business school.” And he sees it as the next evolution of the business school experience – one that goes hand-in-hand with intensive faculty and staff support.  “What we’re talking about is instead of reading about a case study of something that happened in the past, you are the case study. And so you’re developing the business tools and skills, but you’re also going through this very personal transformation process. To enable that personal transformation to happen, you have to surround that with the coaching, the feedback, the assessment that’s necessary to make sure we’re learning from that experience.”

MANY COURSES AND ACTIVITIES TAILORED TO MAKING AN IMPACT

Along with experiential learning, “impact” is another concept commonly associated with the Ross School of Business. Make that “positive impact” – a desire to use business tools to reduce gaps both economically and socially. According to DeRue, 17% of first-years enter the MBA program to pursue impact – and the school offers over 100 courses, clubs and events to that end. The first-year program even opens up with the Ross Impact Challenge, where student teams spend a week in Detroit supporting community service projects. Kwon notes that students are increasingly steering themselves towards impact-oriented careers. It is an area, Kwon says, that serves as a cornerstone of the MBA program.

“We’re seeing an increasing number of students interested in impact-oriented careers,” she tells P&Q. “Our mission — to build a better world through business — is closely aligned with students’ goals. Our dean created a Business + Impact initiative to broaden students’ access to impact-related opportunities across the University of Michigan campus. Ross students have the opportunity to work with students from the schools of public policy, social work, urban planning, information, public health, education, and others on issues like poverty alleviation, healthcare access, and sustainability.”

This mission – and its execution at Ross – was a major selling point to the Class of 2020. “Ross was the school best positioned for me to explore and expand upon my interests in sports marketing, technology, and social impact,” says Angad Banga. “The entrepreneur and venture capital enthusiast in me gets excited to participate in the student-run investment funds through the Zell Lurie Institute. In addition, I look forward to collaborating with my peers to create social impact solutions that I can test and refine with the exuberant University of Michigan fan base.”

Fernando Palhares echoes his classmate’s enthusiasm, citing the dual degree in sustainability as the tipping point that led him to Michigan. “Ross has crafted a well-rounded dual-degree program with the U-M School of Environment and Sustainability, which will help me acquire the technical skills required to succeed in a sustainability job on top of expanding my network of like-minded professionals.”

Exterior of Ross School of Business

A PROGRAM FOR CAREER SWITCHERS

That said, impact isn’t just centered around the social sector, Kwon points out. “One of the great things about Ross is that students get to work with and for real organizations that have a challenge – while they’re students, not just read cases or identify solutions for challenges that have already happened. So they’re not only gaining exposure and experience, they’re also able to make an impact.”

This 1-2 punch of experiential learning and impact is also quite popular with employers. “Our MBA grads go to top companies across the country, and the world,” Kwon adds. “Last year, more than 50 percent of the class went into consulting and tech. Nearly a third of the class went to the west coast, 20 percent to Chicago, and almost eight percent outside the U.S. Our top five employers were Amazon, McKinsey, BCG, Deloitte, and Microsoft, with 131 students going to these companies alone with internship or full-time offers. The bottom line is that even though we’re not located in a major city, the companies that MBAs want to work for come here and actively recruit our students.”

According to the school, 87% of Ross MBA graduates are career switchers. That’s another reason why the program offers over 200 consulting projects each year. This learning-by-doing and theory-into-practice model is the basis behind one of Ross’ most popular events: The Crisis Challenge. A 24 hour competition, student reams role play a simulated crisis, where they must develop strategies and defend them before board members, customers, and journalists (played by faculty and even alumni). Students can also gain real world experience by managing funds ranging from tech (Zell Lurie Commercialization Fund) to impact (Social Venture Fund) to banking (Wolverine Venture Fund and Maize and Blue Fund). For students looking to support non-profits, there is the Center for Social Impact and the Tauber Institute for Global Operations. If tackling global problems or sustainability issues are passions, students can find projects through the William Davidson Institute or the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise.

MAP PROJECT UNITES ROSS GRADS YOUNG AND OLD

However, the experience that has really fired up the Class of 2020 is Ross’ required MAP project. Launched in 1992, MAP pairs teams of 4-6 first-years together with leading employers to solve a real world issue. Last year, for example, the 2019 Class completed 83 projects in 25 countries. Sponsoring companies included Alphabet (i.e. Google), Amazon, Cummins, Facebook, General Motors, Kimberly-Clark, Microsoft, Principal Financial, and Verizon. As part of these projects, students conduct feasibility studies, build business cases, formulate go-to-market strategies, redesign operational units, and evaluate processes and models. In short, MAP is a program where students perform real work for real companies in real time with real stakes involved. It is so intensive that it is the only class that students take for seven weeks in the second semester

Since its inception, nearly 11,500 Ross MBAs have completed a MAP project with over 1,400 sponsor companies in 100 countries. In 2017 alone, Ross students worked in locales ranging from San Francisco and Seattle to Shanghai and Santiago. For Georgia Cassady, MAP was the differentiator that “sealed the deal” for her to join the 2020 Class. “I’ve only had one full-time job since college, and it was fairly non-traditional,” she admits. “At the end of my first year, I’ll work for seven weeks on an actual business problem for a real organization—not a hypothetical case. Having this extra work experience will give me the skills and extra boost of confidence I need going in to my summer internship and post-MBA job.”

Experiential learning and impact may be the double helix of Ross’ DNA, but it is the school’s open and reassuring spirit that define its unique character. This is illustrated by the program’s Ross Diaries – a regular event that takes its cue from TedX (and Stanford GSB’s TALK). Here, students share their stories – the defining moments where they fulfilled their promise…or failed miserably. It is a chance to hone and deliver their stories – and prep for bigger presentations to come.

Ross students taking a break from their MAP project.

TRAINING STUDENTS TO TAKE THE ROSS CULTURE WHEREVER THEY GO

“This will have benefits throughout their lives in terms of their own leadership skills and being able to tell stories in ways that will connect with, influence, and inspire people,” DeRue notes in a 2018 interview. “They do all of this by getting up on stage in front of 500 of their classmates and colleagues from around the school. “It is just an illustration of how we are a community. We’re a place where all people are welcome, where there are opportunities for everyone to be authentic.”

And helpful too. That was the virtue that struck a chord about Ross with Afua Aidoo – particularly being 6,000 miles from home. “There is always someone offering new insights from their personal research, network, experiences, and opportunities. There is a genuine curiosity to know more about each other and to help us all get settled quickly.”

That stems from DeRue’s ultimate vision for Ross, where students act local and think global – always focused on elevating those around them to amplify their impact. That’s exactly what the world can expect from the Class of 2020 – a group that’ll soon be joining 50,000 Ross alumni who were tested in the boardroom as much as the classroom – and came away committed to making a difference as much as a dollar.

“We’re developing people with that character and capability to not only lead and be effective themselves, but to bring everyone along with them, which is exactly the type of leadership talent that businesses and recruiters around the world are asking for,” DeRue told Poets&Quants in a February interview. “This isn’t only the culture we want as an organization to be important, it’s also developing people who are going to go off and create the same culture in organizations that they go on to work in. That’s a real important way that business schools can influence society in a big way. That’s inspiring to me.”

What led these professionals to enter business schools? Which programs did they also consider? What strategies did they use to choose their MBA program? What was the major event that defined them? Find the answers to these questions and many more in the in-depth profiles of these incoming MBA candidates. 

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MBA CLASS OF 2020: PROFILES IN COURAGE OR

MEET THE MICHIGAN ROSS MBA CLASS OF 2019

Student	Hometown	Alma Mater	Employer
Afua Aidoo	Agona Nyarkrom, Ghana	Ashesi University	General Electric
Angad Banga	Montville, NJ	American University	Major League Soccer
Georgia Cassady	Enterprise, AL	Wake Forest University	Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility
Sankalp Damani	Mumbai, India	Indian Institute of Technology	Boston Consulting Group
Hollis Farris	Ann Arbor, MI	Princeton University	Blackrock
Shivani Gupta	Chandigarh, India	Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee	Flipkart
Fernando Palhares	Uberaba, Brazil	Polytechnic School of University of São Paulo	MercadoLivre
Jane Roberts	Arlington, VA	University of Wisconsin	Advisory Board Company
Leslie Solis	South Gate, CA	UCLA	Tesi Boutique
Juan Andres Turner	Caracas, Venezuela	Clark University	World Bank
Olga Vilner Gor	Kiryat Mozkin, Israel	University of Haifa	Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health
Zach Zimmerman	Ormond Beach, FL	Stanford University	Nike

 

Afua Aidoo

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

“Creative, love color, passionate about empowering and inspiring people, healthcare management, entrepreneurial and a foodie!”

Hometown: Agona Nyarkrom, Ghana

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am an avid player and follower of soccer, and a proud member of Chelsea F.C. Football teaches me so much about teamwork, courage, and discipline. I achieved one of my life long dreams in 2016 when I visited Stamford Bridge in London, home to Chelsea F.C, for a live game, which they of course won!

Undergraduate School and Major: Ashesi University (Ghana), BSc Business Administration

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:
General Electric (Healthcare Business) in Ghana
Africa LEAN Center of Excellence (COE) Process Manager

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I identified one key challenge of the West African market was our inability to quote our customers in local currency. I rallied and focused cross functional teams to create and operationalize a local currency deals SOP in one of our biggest markets within the region, which contributed to over 40% of new orders in local currency and direct sales team (vs. indirect) achievement of 99% of equipment orders. I was particularly proud of this because it was a direct response to our customers’ needs in a particularly challenging market environment. We came together as a team to evaluate the risks, propose a solution, and clearly define actions to ensure a valued outcome.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Team players! The eagerness and willingness to learn and to share information is extremely infectious. There is always someone offering new insights from their personal research, network, experiences, and opportunities. There is a genuine curiosity to know more about each other and to help us all get settled quickly. I can tell from the people I have met so far that they understand the quality of their MBA experience is based on our collective experiences. I see the passion to make an impact in the next chapter of their lives.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Experiential learning: The focus on real-life scenarios and activities both in and out of the classroom. This for me was very important, especially as I have come to identify that I am most effective when I learn by doing. I was interested in all four experiences that Ross seeks to provide to each student––starting a business, investing in business, advising a business, and leading a business. The Ross Business + Impact Challenge, Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP), the Leadership Crisis challenge––all of these have set the precedent for my expectation of the MBA program content and outcomes.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Michigan Business Women, Africa Business Club, General Management Club, Healthcare and Life Sciences Club. I am particularly looking forward to being part of the Net Impact Club and to Participating as a panelist in the Business Beyond Usual Podcast Series (not your typical b-school podcast!).

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? The quest for new learning opportunities in an environment where multiple resources are available, across various disciplines and industries. I wanted a safe space where I could make mistakes, learn quickly from them, and speak to my classmates and faculty (who are subject matter experts in their fields and learn from their experiences). I wanted to be able to focus on the bigger picture and build a strong network of connections outside of my previous experiences. I also want to have a more global experience and the timing felt right.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I evaluated my long-term career goals and worked out the best plan to achieve it. I wanted to experience, growth, learning opportunities, ability to connect with a wide community of individuals, deep resources, ability to make mistakes, and learn in a seemingly “test” environment. For the next two years, I wanted to shape my life and career and ensure I will be making an impact in this generation and beyond. These experiences are invaluable and worth the investment.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Fuqua and Stanford

How did you determine your fit at various schools? For me, the cultural fit was very important based especially because of my background. I spent a lot of time researching online, looking at facts and figures around diversity, program structure, and various sources including Poets & Quants. I also spent a significant amount of time reaching out to current students and alumni (local and abroad). I learned a lot about the culture from talking with administrative team members as well as reading about people’s experiences and on social media.

In line with my long term career goal of being an entrepreneur and focusing in healthcare, the Zell Laurie Institute provides a lot of resources to help launch and fund a business. The healthcare management courses are aligned with my goals.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? I unexpectedly lost a good friend, and this inspired me on a journey of facing my fears and simply living.  I planned trips to various world landmarks including the Eiffel Tower in France, the Vatican, the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, and Times Square in New York. I took some time out to heal, engage in activities on my bucket list, immerse myself in different cultures and made several new friends along the way. It made me realize the importance of making every moment count and making sure you turn all your dreams into a reality. I’m ready to leave a mark in this world and I strongly believe this Ross MBA program will position me to leave this lasting impression.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Find a role that will enable me to continue to build upon my management and leadership skills, grow my analytical and strategic planning skills, network to form partnerships and develop expertise in social enterprise management most especially within the healthcare sector.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Setting up a social enterprise focused on improving Africa’s healthcare sector through the provision of strategic guidance, financing and data-based operations for NGOs and other social enterprises.

Angad Banga

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

“Sports business and social impact nerd, comedy fan, and passionate advocate of the oxford comma.”

Hometown: Montville, New Jersey

Fun Fact About Yourself: I once had a modeling gig with Major League Soccer and was featured on the League’s ecommerce site and in select MLS Club merchandise promotions. Clearly, years of Zoolander fandom and practicing ‘Blue Steel’ in the mirror paid off.

Undergraduate School and Major: American University – B.A. in International Relations, B.A. in Business Administration

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:
Major League Soccer, New York City
Senior Coordinator, Properties & Event

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The entrepreneur and avid gamer in me is incredibly proud to have helped launch Major League Soccer’s (MLS) newest venture: eMLS. Launched in 2018, eMLS is a comprehensive esports League and platform that connect Major League Soccer to over 25 million FIFA gamers. For years, the FIFA video game has been a cornerstone of soccer fandom globally. However, a budding North American FIFA community and the rising popularity of FIFA esports competitions presented a unique opportunity to further integrate MLS into the FIFA gaming conversation.

As eMLS continues to evolve, the priority is to get more gamers involved via esports events, gaming content, and unique experiences that celebrate gaming culture. So to all you FIFA fans out there – in the midst of business school applications – I encourage you to take a break and check out what eMLS is up to. If not, then maybe catch me on PlayStation or XBOX and we can get a game in; my gamertag is Bippity441.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? The supportive nature of the class has really stood out to me. Every classmate I have met has been passionate about providing guidance and assistance to their peers in any way possible.Incoming students, some of whom I have only met via Slack, have already introduced me to members of their personal network who can help me achieve my career goals. In return, I have done the same.

This sense of selflessness and willingness to help is incredibly attractive, and only affirms everything you hear from alumni and the admissions team.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Ross was the school best positioned for me to explore and expand upon my interests in sports marketing, technology, and social impact. The entrepreneur and venture capital enthusiast in me gets excited to participate in the student-run investment funds through the Zell Lurie Institute. In addition, I look forward to collaborating with my peers to create social impact solutions that I can test and refine with the exuberant University of Michigan fan base.

I cannot help but think that the school puts me in the position to succeed because of the institution’s namesake: Stephen Ross. Stephen Ross is the embodiment of the intersection between sports business and social impact, and his business ventures have helped build a community of individuals who can help the industry grow in a variety of ways.

My goal is to be at the forefront of that intersection as well, and what Stephen Ross and family have built at the University of Michigan will best prepare me to achieve that goal.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I look forward to participating in the student-run investment funds, such as the Wolverine Venture Fund, Social Venture Fund, and Commercialization Fund. I would love to get involved in all three (alongside several other clubs), although I’ve been warned about stretching myself too thin. With all the incredible things going on, it is not hard to do!

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I recognized that to advance in my career – and pursue my interests in venture capital, entrepreneurship, and social impact in the sports industry – I would need additional perspective.

The MBA experience quickly stood out as the most efficient and resourceful avenue by which to attain that perspective. Being surrounded by renowned faculty, staff, and an incredible student body would best prepare me with the insights and expertise I need to pursue my career goals. And in Ross in particular, I found myself with access to thousands of alumni who have gone on to become leaders in a wide variety of fields.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? The MBA is about both professional AND personal growth.  Not often in life do you get two years after starting your career to take a step back and pursue your interests. Furthermore, there are limited avenues by which to ready yourself for a career and a sense of fulfillment based upon those interests.

In an MBA, you get both – all of which is facilitated by a supportive group of faculty, staff, and students who are eager to help you tackle any challenges along the way.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I applied to a variety of different programs: Stanford’s Graduate School of Business; University of California Berkeley’s Haas School of Business; University of California Los Angeles’ Anderson School of Management; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management; and Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? My initial search was predicated on the ability of the MBA program to facilitate my interests in sports business, technology, and social impact. However, school culture quickly became my top priority. I sought a collaborative environment where I could work with others to pursue my goals and also provide guidance from my experiences.

Ross offered avenues to pursue all three of those interests in an environment best-suited for my success. Putting ideas into practice throughout the academic calendar, as well as hands-on opportunities via clubs, MAP, and beyond, was incredibly compelling. Together, these elements were critical to determining the best business school for me.

The added perk of Ross is the vibrant school spirit and sporting culture – Go Blue!

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? I remember it like it was yesterday. I had just been rejected from a job opportunity with Major League Soccer, again finding myself unable to fulfill my dream of becoming a sports business professional. Moments after receiving that rejection letter, I was contacted by MLS’s Human Resources department, offering me an internship instead.

I contemplated the opportunity. I would be taking a step back both career-wise and financially, and there was no guarantee of a full-time position. But I also knew that opportunities to learn from industry leaders daily is rare. So within the hour, I accepted the internship.

My efforts and desire to learn paid off, as the internship quickly evolved into a full-time position. For more than three years, I got the opportunity to realize my dream. Every day, I woke up eager to get to work and make soccer as big as possible in the United States and Canada. In addition, I formed relationships and true friendships with some of the best and the brightest in the industry.

The risk I took was calculated, but my successes assured me that I could excel in an industry I am passionate about with minimal experience. Now as I look to evolve in my career, I invite new challenges and am confident in my ability to overcome future obstacles. With an MBA, I will be prepared for any challenge that comes my way.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Upon graduating, I aspire to join a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investing. In particular, I would love to help fund and facilitate the growth of technology and social impact projects within the sports and entertainment industry.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Five years from now, I hope to be involved in a variety of projects in the world of sports and entertainment. I envision myself as an executive in a venture capital firm, identifying some of the best and brightest thinkers and ideas that will fuel future industry growth. In addition, I aspire to take leadership positions within sports-for-change institutions such as the Ross Initiative for Social Equality (RISE). In my spare time, I hope to build my own venture(s) to make my own mark on the sports and entertainment industry.

Georgia Cassady

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

“Hey ya’ll! I’m Georgia from Alabama, welcoming winter coat suggestions.”

Hometown: Enterprise, Alabama

Fun Fact About Yourself: In the middle of Main Street in my hometown of Enterprise, Alabama, stands the world’s first monument built to honor a bug—an agricultural pest called the boll weevil.

Undergraduate School and Major: Wake Forest University, Communication Major, minors in Journalism and Entrepreneurship

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:

Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, Washington, D.C.
Manager of Media & Strategic Partnerships

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I went in to my 2016 year-end review armed with facts, figures, and a well-planned speech. I confidently asked for a promotion, sure I would get it. And then I didn’t. My CEO said he wasn’t sure I could lead, and I needed to speak up. I took that feedback and ran with it. I asked for more responsibility and was impeccably prepared and well-spoken in meetings with my CEO. I adapted my communication style to display authority and confidence. In June, I got that promotion. I’d say this is my biggest accomplishment in my career so far because I learned the value of constructive feedback and, more importantly, earned the respect of my CEO.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? From my group interview at Ross to today, every classmate I’ve met has been a truly authentic person. I immediately felt like I was with friends on my interview day. Every conversation with future Ross classmates, even before I made my decision on which school to attend, has been open, honest and genuinely helpful. These authentic conversations and experiences with my future classmates are what made me ultimately choose Ross.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? I’ve only had one full-time job since college, and it was fairly non-traditional. A key factor that led me to choose Ross was the amount of hands-on, experiential learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Specifically, Ross’s MAP (Multidisciplinary Action Projects) program sealed the deal for me. At the end of my first year, I’ll work for seven weeks on an actual business problem for a real organization—not a hypothetical case. Having this extra work experience will give me the skills and extra boost of confidence I need going in to my summer internship and post-MBA job.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m really looking forward to the Ross Business + Impact Challenge! It will be an amazing opportunity to work with a team to solve a social challenge, which is exactly what I hope to do post-MBA.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I minored in entrepreneurship in college and always thought I’d go back to school for an MBA, but I didn’t really know when or why. After college, I knew I wanted an impactful job and ended up working in PR at a nonprofit. Through my job, I saw first-hand the impact large companies can have when they use their financial resources to improve and save lives. I loved my job and wanted to do more. I want to work in a large corporation developing and implementing impactful social campaigns. I know that in order to make that move from the non-profit side to the corporate side, there are some fundamental business skills that I need to learn. So now was the time to make the jump!

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I strongly believe the best investment you can make is in your education. I wanted to switch careers and knew I had a huge knowledge gap. The best way to fill that gap was to get my MBA. I never questioned whether it was worth the investment—I always knew it was.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Stanford GSB, Berkeley-Haas, Kellogg, Yale SOM, Duke-Fuqua, Darden, Texas-McCombs, UNC Kenan-Flagler.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I prioritized location and size of the city, class size, opportunities for social impact beyond the Net Impact club, and experiential learning. One thing I paid a lot of attention to was the other applicants interviewing with me. I knew these could be my future classmates and wanted to make sure I went somewhere I really connected with the other applicants.

What tools did you use to evaluate schools? I was a Forte MBALauncher, so I got exposure to current female students at several MBA programs through that organization. Fellow MBALaunchers were great resources, as well as MBAMission Insider’s Guides and Poets & Quants school profiles. I, of course, went to lots of MBA fairs and meet and greets in D.C. (where I was living until now).

How did you research culture? How did you know it fit your career goals? I researched culture through informational calls with current students involved in the clubs and organizations I wanted to be involved in during my MBA, like Board Fellows and the Net Impact club. I asked about their experiences at school to see if they aligned with everything I’d learned through my research. I asked if anything at the school didn’t meet their expectations, what the class experience was like, and what they would change about the program (if they could). By talking to students at each school with similar career goals as me, I learned whether my goals could be achieved through experiences and support offered at that school.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? The moment that most defines my life happened my freshman year of college. It was Christmas break, and my mom had just been diagnosed with a stage 4 ovarian cyst. We were sitting in church on Sunday morning, and an extremely sad song started to play about a child whose mother was dying. All the child wanted for Christmas was to make sure her mother looked beautiful when she went to meet Jesus that night. My mom is my best friend in the entire world. Hearing this song, I lost it. And then my mom lost it. We sat in church sobbing. I’m an ugly crier, and at some point, my mom looked over and saw how ridiculous I looked. Her tears turned into uncontrollable, contagious laughter. I started laughing, and that was the moment I think I became an adult. That moment taught me that the only way to get through trials, no matter how sad, scary or overwhelming, is with a positive attitude and sense of humor. Thankfully, my mom’s cyst was benign, and she’s as healthy as ever! Now, we constantly remind each other the importance of facing life’s challenges with a positive outlook, and I know there’s nothing I can’t overcome.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? After I graduate, I’d love to work in marketing at a large, for-profit company with a strong focus on social impact. Making a difference in my career is extremely important to me, so my focus will be more on the company culture than the job function.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I see myself living in a mid-sized (preferably warm) city, leveraging my marketing and social impact experiences into a corporate social responsibility role at a social-driven company. As corporate social responsibility becomes more of an essential business function than a public relations play, I want to be a leader in helping social-driven companies be even more active in implementing creative, effective and relevant corporate social responsibility programs.

Sankalp Damani

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

“An engineer turned management consultant, sports and music buff, startup and technology enthusiast.”

Hometown: Mumbai, India

Fun Fact About Yourself: I play almost every racquet sport. I have also regularly performed at social events in and outside my college as a singer and guitarist!

Undergraduate School and Major: Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Civil Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:
The Boston Consulting Group, Mumbai, India
Specialist Consultant

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As a consultant at BCG, I’ve always had the opportunity to make a big impact for my clients. The most significant, however, was when I executed a retention strategy for an Indian banking client leading to a real-time improvement of roughly $70 million in their business in a span of only two months. The bank had been losing business significantly over the past two years and was given a target by the Central Banking Authorities to recover these losses. I took this opportunity to move over 2000 bank employees across the nation and bring a new dedicated focus on customer retention. Through my initiative, the bank was not only able to meet this target but sustain a new organization structure and process focused towards customer retention. This has now become a key strategy at BCG and I also worked with a developer team to build a white-labelled customer retention app to help BCG sell similar projects to other banks!

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Over the last few months, I have met several of my future classmates in Mumbai and also a few current students at Ross. My classmates are extremely sharp and driven and we have built a great sense of community even before the start of b-school!

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The major factor that led me to choose Ross was the enormous scope for experiential learning that the school offers. Putting theory to practice via MAP and REAL in a learning environment, Ross will truly help me build core leadership skills that are required for high impact in international business. Since I have had limited international work experience before, experiential learning in an international environment is one of the core factors that I believe will add value to my MBA experience.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m most keen on two clubs: The Consulting Club and The Zell Lurie Commercialization Fund. These clubs firmly resonate with my post-MBA career goals as well as my prior experience.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? After graduating from engineering school in 2013, I worked for five years in India, mainly in consulting. I realized that I wanted to pursue a long-term career in consulting, and business school was the means to not only get formal training but also develop the necessary leadership skills to thrive in the world of business. To gain international experience and to further my career in consulting and as a business professional, starting an MBA this year was the perfect next step for me.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? An MBA is undoubtedly a financial investment. However, apart from the competitive salaries that one gets post MBA (especially in the U.S.), I see an MBA as a long-term investment in myself. The degree will not only add to my pedigree, but will also open millions of doors in the business world through the brand, network, and skills that I will acquire.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Tuck, Columbia, London Business School, NYU Stern

How did you determine your fit at various schools? To understand how each school functions, my best resource was talking to current students. I had friends in each of these schools and spoke at length to understand the student culture, academic focus, teaching styles, and industry exposure. Further, I used material available online at the schools’ websites and third party journals on these schools (Poets & Quants, Clear Admit etc.). The two most important factors for me to differentiate schools were the student culture and post-MBA career options. Speaking to current students and employment reports gave me an in-depth understanding of both these factors.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment came when I was able to help transform the life of an eleven-year-old underprivileged child into a star student and a regular in his school’s sports team just by mentoring him. I realized that what matters most to me is the impact I am able to have through whatever I do. I subsequently worked for a Fintech startup for a year and where we managed to start disrupting the collateral-backed loan industry in India – an industry which was otherwise had a duopoly and was therefore extremely unaffordable. While startups have always been my passion, I finally chose a career in consulting because it helped me create impact on a larger scale.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I plan to go back to management consulting after I graduate.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I see myself as a successful management consultant who is able to manage his personal and professional priorities alike. I would also love to have been part of a successful venture as a part-time contributor in the next five years.

Hollis Farris

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Describe yourself in 15 words or less: Humbled adventure-seeker powered by coffee, bourbon, and gum, whose MBA path surprisingly leads back home  

Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Fun Fact About Yourself:  Member of the 2004/2005 U-16, and 2006/2007 U-19 USA National Field Hockey Teams (USFHA) touring in Holland and Argentina.

Undergraduate School and Major: Princeton University, major in history; double-minor in Urban Studies as well as French Language and Cultural Studies

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:
BlackRock, New York
Associate

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Having the courage to make a change. It’s comfortable to stay in a job and dream about getting an MBA, but it’s simultaneously exhilarating and liberating to have the confidence and determination to pursue a new and unexpected path.  

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? It’s absolutely true that Ross is a close-knit, collaborative, and supportive community.  An email with “Go Blue” to a current student or alumni inevitably receives a response within 24 hours – it’s incredible!

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The action-based learning opportunities integrated with the Michigan Model of Leadership, particularly because I want to apply classroom lessons real-time while also making a positive impact in the community and learning how to navigate ambiguity in the workforce.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Michigan Business Women because it’s a community of incredibly talented and inspirational women. I am also really excited to pass the support and advice along to someone else.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I want to complement my legal background with the quantitative skills and business acumen to manage companies and people in a way that is constructive both at the individual and global level.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I knew I was not going to be an attorney after seven years working in various legal and compliance roles, and I felt that I could transition to a managerial role more effectively by equipping myself with quantitative and financial skills through a structured environment with guidance from experts in the MBA program.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Chicago Booth

How did you determine your fit at various schools? Academically, I wanted to see how my classroom knowledge is applied in the real world, and the action-based learning opportunities at Ross exceeded my expectations. Socially, I want to be a part of a supportive community that extends to life post-MBA, and the Michigan alumni network is second-to-none. Finally, from a career perspective, I want to be a leader regardless of my title, and I believe that the Sanger Leadership Center will provide me with the soft-skills necessary to succeed. Ultimately, reaching out and talking with current students, alumni, and the admissions team as well as attending the Women in Leadership Conference at Ross and the NYC MBA Forte Forum convinced me that I only wanted an MBA if it was from Ross.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Actively deciding not to apply to law school and become an attorney was pivotal in my career. Until that point, my personal and professional goals were rigidly fixed, but now I’ve discovered that ambiguity can be equally (if not more) rewarding.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Before re-entering the workforce, I hope to travel either to Peru to hike Machu Picchu, or visit Scotland to hike the Highlands and see the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh.

Where do you see yourself in five years?  My goal in five years is to be a decision maker within a company not only managing P&L, but also empowering others to reach their lifetime goals and promote their careers.  Also, my husband and I hope to start raising our own family (dogs included).   

 Shivani Gupta

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

‘From steel toes to stilettos: a field engineer turned corporate, sports and travel enthusiast.”

Hometown: Chandigarh, India

Fun Fact about Yourself: I absolutely love momos (a South Asian dumpling) and have tasted almost 20 different vegetarian varieties that include mango and tandoori as well. I eat momos almost 5 days a week.

Undergraduate School and Major: Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Biotechnology (Bangalore, India)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:
Flipkart.com Senior Manager (Head of planning, merchandising and marketing for Televisions category)
Koramangala, India

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: As the head of planning, merchandising and marketing for Televisions category, I had a team of eight members to manage. One particular individual, who was considered an off-role employee, was able to perform at a level equivalent to a permanent employee. So within 8 months of my joining the team, I pushed her case with my manager to move her to a full-time Flipkart employee. During her interviews, although she had the required professional skills, her scalability to the next level was a point of contention amongst the panelists. Post rejection from the hiring committee, I took it upon myself to work on her scalability over the next 12 months. I gave her diverse projects that involved multiple stakeholders and also asked her to manage two other off-roll employees. Before I left Flipkart in July, she was interviewed again and was able to convince the committee so thoroughly that the discussion to promote her was just 10 minutes long.

As a young leader, this is the biggest accomplishment for me. Honing your professional skills is one part of the job, but being involved with the growth and development of your team members defines your long-term success as an effective manager and an emerging leader.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why?  They are all very meticulous. Whether it is an application, assignment or planning a trip, they pay great attention to details, gather sufficient knowledge and information, and then take the next step. In the process, I have benefitted a lot from these discussions and I believe this is what makes the culture at Ross so unique.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? During my research phase, Ross came across as one of the few schools that was rated amongst the top in all academic programs. While this caught my attention, it was the interaction with students and alumni that sealed the deal for me. I would generally reach out to three or four people from a certain club or organization hoping that at least one of them would respond. But to my surprise, not just one, but all of them replied back trying to help me better understand the school, the club, and the culture. Once I received the invite to interview with the school, a student ambassador (with a similar profile as mine) reached out to me to help me with the interview process. Even the alumni I interviewed with reached out to check if I had got admitted to the school or not. The way you are made a part of the community even before you are admitted to the school is something very unique to Ross. Coming from a start-up culture, I truly value this in any organization and hence chose Ross as the best fit for me.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I am really thrilled about MAP – the Multidisciplinary Action Project. The seven-week-long project towards the end of first year that includes learning how businesses apply and integrate multiple functions. It also helps you gain an appreciation for the value of teamwork, through an intense hands-on project. The experiential learning at Ross is an aspect I have heard about a lot and I think MAP is the best example of this. Also, during a recent interaction with an MBA 2, I learned that there are certain projects that span across two or three countries, giving you an idea of how global organizations work across the globe. This is super exciting!

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? During four years at Flipkart, I was part of a team that sold 100,000 smartphones in 10 seconds, successfully launched multiple brands, and delivered 50 percent of the company’s revenue. Having launched various new and established brands and witnessing their rise and fall, I developed a keen interest in understanding how each brand is able to position and market itself differently and yet cater to such a disparate consumer base. I need an MBA to enhance my marketing skills and supplement my knowledge in other functions.

In order to do so, the knowledge that I gain during my MBA and the experiences that I am exposed to during projects, internships, and then recruiting will help me grow as a global marketer and a strategist.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? At a personal level, I was sure that I needed an MBA to help me with the required skill set to grow into a global marketer. In terms of finances, looking at the schools I was applying to, I was sure that I would be able to pay the loan in 5 years.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Northwestern University (Kellogg)

How did you determine your fit at various schools?

Tools: I started with Poets and Quants’ Insider Guides for the top 15 U.S. schools and once I shortlisted schools based on that, I went through the respective school websites and got in touch with their current students and alumni.

Factors in selecting a school: I was always sure that I would not apply to more than three schools and hence I wanted to be certain about the schools I applied to. The factors that I considered while choosing a school were: academic specializations and recruitment focus of the school, culture at the school, and the alumni base of the school. All these factors play a major role in grooming you at the school and helping you find the right job.

How did you research culture? Since I did not have the opportunity to visit schools, the best way to research culture for me was to speak with a lot of students and alumni. I still remember one of the anecdotes by an MBA2 where two students from Ross helped each other out during their internship at the same organization and eventually were both offered a PPO (pre-placement offer). That was different than what I heard from students at other schools who would compete with each other.

How did you know it fit your career goals? As mentioned above, Ross is one of the few schools that is rated amongst the top in all academic programs like general management, marketing, consulting etc. With a focus on marketing as my career path, I researched the robust courses offered by Ross and the award-winning faculty. Most of the courses focused on experiential learning and really interested me. The Marketing Club and the Marketing Symposium organized over the last few years also bolstered the fact that Ross was the best place to help me hone my marketing skills and provide me the international exposure I wanted. Finally, the companies with which students recruited and the roles that they were offered were in line with what I saw as the career trajectory for myself.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? During my undergrad, I received a PPO from Schlumberger after a summer internship. I always wanted to be part of a global organization like Schlumberger, but I realized my role wasn’t as challenging as I wanted. So I quit Schlumberger and moved into a startup that was based in India. The challenges I faced here have made me a well-rounded professional who always endeavors for excellence. To be able to take risks in life and course correct during your journey is of utmost importance.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I plan on taking a month-long vacation before I enter the job life again. At the professional front, I plan to work for a global tech organization in the field of product marketing or product management.

Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself solving a substantial customer problem and bringing about a change that impacts people across the globe.

Fernando Palhares

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

“Optimist tree hugger interested in increasing chances of long-term life on Earth through business.”

Hometown: Uberaba, Brazil

Fun Fact About Yourself: During my first vacation from my job, I decided to fly to the Netherlands, buy a bicycle and travel around the country. I ended up cycling around 1000 miles over 14 days, sleeping at random people’s houses (which was fantastic by the way).

Undergraduate School and Major: Polytechnic School of University of São Paulo – Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:
MercadoLivre, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo
Customer Experience Process Supervisor

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: While in consulting, I had the chance to work for the Saudi Arabian government on actions to reform the labor market and improve employability, especially for Saudi women. Besides working in a context completely different from Brazil and with an international team, my initiatives managed to employ around 60,000 Saudis during the six months I spent there. I felt extremely empowered and that my work really mattered. That was also a tipping point on rethinking what I wanted to do in the long-term.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Humility. I met several people from different schools and the overall feeling I get from Ross is that there is less showing off and more camaraderie. Of course, we know it’s a competitive environment, but I feel people are supportive of each other and want to see each other’s successes rather than simply seeing everyone around you as a roadblock to your own dream job.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The offering of a dual-degree in sustainability. This was one of my guiding factors in choosing schools, and Ross has crafted a well-rounded dual-degree program with the U-M School of Environment and Sustainability, which will help me acquire the technical skills required to succeed in a sustainability job on top of expanding my network of like-minded professionals. This was definitely a factor that put Ross ahead of other B-Schools for me.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I’m really looking forward joining the Global Investment Committee and the Investment Management Club to get hands-on experience in a career path that I always considered but never explored. Also, keen to join the Ross triathletes so I can finally get ready for an Ironman!

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I felt my career was going sideways – I had a good job at an incredible company but I was not really seeking my passion and achieving the kind of impact I wanted through my work.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I compared the likelihood of moving to the sustainability sector without an MBA, and realized it was possible but quite difficult. It’s tricky to put a number on your job satisfaction but I felt that if I didn’t take the risk and commit the resources, I would never be entirely satisfied.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Stanford E-IPER dual degree, Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan. I had others lined up for R2, but ended up not applying.

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I had the chance to talk with people from many schools at my consulting job, and they also introduced me to people from their schools that were working at entirely different careers, and I always tried to look at these chats from a role model perspective – would I like to have this person as my mentor, as my boss, or even as a friend? A big driving factor was, of course, the strength of the school in the sustainability sector, measured primarily by looking at the alumni network at some of my target companies, Finally, the salary after graduation was another factor.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Must be the volunteering experience I had in a national park in Chile in 2011. I initially signed up to do simple volunteering work as a park ranger, but a fire erupted and grew dramatically, and the volunteers were given the opportunity to work with the Chilean Army as firefighters. I stayed and, after the fire was under control, I realized how fragile the environment is and how small actions can have big consequences, either good or bad. The fire was started by a cigarette butt and burned an area equivalent to the District of Columbia over 5 days. This experience made me rethink how I wanted to contribute to the world.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I hope to answer that during the MBA, but if I had to decide now I would probably think about joining an early-stage company (or even start my own) focused on sustainable solutions to everyday problems. I would also consider boutique consulting.

Where do you see yourself in five years? As a product manager for a sustainability-related tech company on the West Coast. Fingers crossed!

Jane Roberts

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

“Empathetic problem-solver with a desire to build strong teams and cultures. Nutella enthusiast.”

Hometown: Arlington, VA

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m currently cycling from Seattle to Lake Michigan on a supported bike tour with a group of 35.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Wisconsin – Madison, double major in Geography and Communication Arts

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:
Advisory Board Company (acquired by Optum), Washington, D.C.
Associate Director – Strategic Marketing

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Adopting a high-growth and flexible mentality early in my career allowed me to take on a wide variety of projects and responsibilities that in turn gave me true insight into the inner workings of the company.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? The quality I notice amongst my new classmates is a genuine openness to new experience. It is energizing to have conversations with peers who are approaching the significant challenges ahead with such enthusiasm.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Ross’ dedication to giving students the opportunity to apply course material to benefit real organizations. MAP is the most obvious example, but the more recent partnership with Shinola is evidence of a continued emphasis on hands-on learning. This is a key factor for me because I want to enter my internship and full-time position with confidence in my ability to apply models and systems learned in class.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Well, personally I’m really looking forward to traveling with classmates on my upcoming MTrek to Chile and Argentina after orientation, as well as joining Out For Business. OFB has a strong presence on campus and cultivates a welcoming environment.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? It was reflecting on my long-term goals that led me to pursue an MBA – I very much enjoyed working with my team but ultimately felt that marketing wasn’t going to be a long-term fit for me despite the tremendous growth I experienced. An MBA affords me a chance to pivot functions without starting from scratch career-wise.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? A lot of research goes into making this decision. For me, it was imperative to see exceptional employment numbers amongst graduates, and in particular seeing MBA graduates working in jobs and for companies that I am most interested in.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Kellogg, Tuck, Fuqua, Anderson, McCombs

How did you determine your fit at various schools? The first factor I prioritized was culture. As a former D1 athlete, I know that I thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment. The second factor I mentioned previously, the opportunity for students to turn theory into practice. And lastly, I was looking for programs with strong general management offerings.

Speaking with current students was the most enlightening, particularly reaching out to those that were alumni of my company. LinkedIn was most useful tool in this endeavour as our company didn’t have infrastructure in place for this type of networking. It’s a great baseline for understanding a student’s perspective on school culture if you have the same starting point (though I imagine this heuristic breaks down for the largest companies).

If I could do it again, the only thing I would change in my approach is visiting programs in advance of applying. It wasn’t feasible at the time given my schedule, but I found while attending interviews that there were some schools where my expectation didn’t align with reality. Given the amount of time that goes into each application, I definitely think the trade-off for stepping foot on campus in advance of starting an application is worth it!

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Earning the chance to be recruited by the UW Women’s Rowing program. While on the team, I gave little thought to how being surrounded by a group of exceptionally strong, goal-oriented, and industrious women would change my life. It wasn’t until after graduating and moving into the workforce that I came to realize that the experience granted me many lessons, especially in mental fortitude and the navigation of challenges as a team.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Put my all of my hard-earned MBA skill sets to work in an intellectually stimulating and challenging role that allows me to grow my expertise in general management.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In 2023, I will be three years into my post-MBA career. I see myself continuing to apply my high-growth and flexible mentality to achieve new leadership opportunities as well as helping shape an inclusive culture within my future-company.

Leslie Solis

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

“A free spirit with a passion for creating memorable experiences for others.”

Hometown: South Gate, CA

Fun Fact About Yourself: I coached a dance group in college. I love to dance so I can see myself doing something similar in business school.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of California, Los Angeles – Spanish Language and Literature

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:

Tesi Boutique, Los Angeles

Co-founder/Creative Director

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Co-founding an e-commerce company with my sister. I’m so proud to have built something from scratch, without having any real prior business knowledge. I’ve learned more about myself than ever before, and it’s helped me grow in ways I never would have imagined. Sometimes, I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing, but it has taught me how to lead in ambiguous situations and has pushed me to get comfortable with the unknown.

Furthermore, I am proud that I have been able to create something that includes my family. My sister and I run the majority of the day-to-day operations, but my entire family has helped us with small and large challenges we have encountered along the way. My mother worked as a housekeeper and nanny, and my father had to pick up a second job as a janitor to make ends meet while I was growing up––and even though they weren’t familiar with launching and running a business, they were always willing to help me and my sister with our venture.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Tough to just pick one, but I would say genuine. They are down-to-earth, good people. I’ve only met a fraction of my classmates, but I know that business school is going to be amazing because of them. To me, it’s important to surround yourself with people who support you and push you beyond your own limits. My classmates are already doing that and we haven’t even started school!

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? The experiential learning opportunities at Ross were a key factor in my decision. I’m the type of person who learns best by doing, hence why I decided to start a business. I knew Ross could provide that type of environment because experiential learning is a part of its DNA. A few of the experiential learning offerings I’m most excited about include the Business + Impact Challenge, the Multidisciplinary Action Project (MAP), and the Leadership Crisis Challenge.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? I can’t wait to join the Michigan Marketing Club! I’m a marketing junkie who has never had any formal marketing training, so I want to immerse myself in all things marketing. I would like to become an officer and support my fellow classmates by sharing my passion for marketing as well as learn from my peers!

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career?I had known for a long time that business school was in my future, but I decided to apply after gaining some work experience in the technology space. Working in tech opened my eyes to how fast the business landscape is changing and I felt that I needed to have a framework to be able to quickly adapt. I knew an MBA could provide that. Furthermore, launching Tesi made me realize that I had a large gap to fill in my business skills. I’m looking forward to learning about business from professors and classmates who bring different perspectives and implementing that insight into my future endeavors!

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I knew first-hand that I would not be able to make the career transition that I wanted for myself without an MBA, because I had already tried and failed. Also, many of my friends have an MBA and I have personally witnessed the way their professional careers and trajectories have transformed since getting their MBA.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Kellogg, Anderson, Fuqua and Marshall

How did you determine your fit at various schools? I read about different programs online and connected with students from each one, but what made the biggest difference for me was visiting the schools. I knew having a supportive environment was one of my top priorities, and the only way to experience that is by visiting the campus. When I stepped foot onto Ross, and had the opportunity to connect with other students, professors and the admissions team, I knew this was the place for me! People always say that it is important to visit schools because you will “just know” when you find the right fit. I don’t know if I believed it 100% before, but I can tell you after going through the process that it’s true. It’s the kind of experience you have to see and feel for yourself, especially because it is where you will be spending two years of your life.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? One of my defining moments was moving away from LA to pursue my professional aspirations in Silicon Valley. I had lived in LA my whole life and had a successful career in legal marketing, but I wanted to do something different. I moved away from everything I knew and took one of the biggest risks in my life by accepting a role in an entirely new city, industry, and function. Stepping out of my comfort zone gave me the confidence and courage to eventually launch my own company.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? After graduation, I am looking forward to working with other collaborative and creative individuals to innovate and impact the lives of consumers through marketing!

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I see myself either leading a marketing team at a cool startup or going back to entrepreneurship. Not sure exactly where, but I am certain I will be in a space that allows me to create and innovate. The opportunities are endless!

Juan Andres Turner     

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

“American-Venezuelan. Passionate about energy, finance, and of course, my family.”

Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela

Fun Fact About Yourself: I sold wind turbines in the deserts of Peru.  

Undergraduate School and Major: Clark University, Political Science.

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:
World Bank, Washington, D.C.
Energy Finance Specialist

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I would say that my biggest accomplishment would be helping to establish a financial reporting framework for the off-grid energy sector. With over 1 billion people lacking access to energy, promoting the rapid scale of energy access is a critical challenge. Off-grid energy companies are proving to be quite successful at helping to address this energy gap. However, accessing commercial financing is still a major issue, due in part to the lack of a common language among investors and companies. Together with my team at the World Bank, I helped design and implement a standard reporting framework for the off-grid energy sector to establish that common language and facilitate access to finance. The framework was officially adopted by the WB, the Industry Organization (GOGLA) and other stakeholders in January of 2018.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Humility. Everyone I have met is incredibly intelligent with a very interesting professional background. Yet, they’re also eager to learn about your own experience and help where they can. It’s clear they see Ross as a community with shared values.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Ross’s “learning by doing” model was key for me. Ross has one of the most structured experiential learning programs of all the top business schools. It is part of the school’s DNA. I want to continue to specialize in energy finance and getting hands-on experience is critical for me. Through both the MAP program and the Energy Club, I will get around 16 extra weeks of work experience, polishing specific skillsets and building relationships in a sector that I’m passionate about.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? The Energy Club. If you are looking to get more exposure to the energy industry, the Ross Energy Club provides a fantastic and structured opportunity for you to work with companies. The club’s leadership team has created a great program that provides highly impactful experiences to students and great value to client companies. I hope to be an active member of the club and contribute where I can, including sourcing consulting projects with the World Bank.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? I knew that in order to push my career into the next level, it was critical for me to specialize in energy finance, develop stronger networks, and polish critical skillsets.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? It was more of a strategic decision than an economic one. I want to be at the forefront of the energy sector, and an MBA provides me with an accelerated path to build the skills and networks necessary to accomplish my goal. My focus was more on understanding how an MBA would help me accomplish my goal rather than how much it would cost me to accomplish that goal.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Kellogg, Cornell, and Darden

How did you determine your fit at various schools? During my research, I really looked for ways to understand the school’s culture and the student experience. While I would tend to start my research with Poet and Quants’ school summaries, I would focus heavily on informational calls with students from the programs that I would be visiting. Once I visited schools – and I visited every school that I applied to together with my wife and baby (family road trip!) – I would meet with students that were in groups that were important to me such as the energy, finance and diversity clubs. Each of those conversations really helped me understand the school’s culture, program, what I could get out of it, and (just as importantly) where I could contribute.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? Several years ago, I worked for a construction company in Nicaragua. Long story short, the company went bankrupt and I was placed in charge of managing the bankruptcy proceedings. As you can imagine, it was a difficult process, but I learned about the importance of feeling comfortable with uncertainty and being flexible. In part, that’s why I have been able to build up a diverse range of interesting experiences, from selling wind turbines in Peru to now working with the World Bank in their energy practice.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? Investment Banking

Where do you see yourself in five years? Vice president at an investment bank.

Olga Vilner Gor

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

“Mother of two who believes humor is integral for a good family life and positive career.”

Hometown: Kiryat Mozkin, Israel

Fun Fact About Yourself: When I was serving in the Israeli army, I was so tired all the time that I developed a unique ability to fall asleep quickly in any place, position, and condition imaginable. I once fell asleep on the floor by a bus station, on a highway, using my bag as a pillow. Needless to say that I missed several buses home.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Haifa, Bachelor of Art in Nursing

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:
Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health, New Brunswick, New Jersey
Nurse Care Coordinator

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: The biggest accomplishment of my career is that as a nurse care coordinator I managed care for 150 high-risk patients. I led medical assessments, established collaboration between multiple providers, and was able to improve my patients’ quality of life while reducing the cost to the health system. Making an impact on people’s lives, in such scale, has been very fulfilling.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? The quality that best describes them is humility. They are all very successful and impressive people but still very humble and grounded, which contributes to a collaborative and supportive environment.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Since I intend to leverage my MBA for a significant career transition, one of the most important aspects for me was the level of hands-on experience I’ll get in the program. Hands-on practical experience will help me be more prepared for the space I’ll go into after business school.

Ross offers a uniquely impactful and well-rounded hands-on project experience called MAP. It’s a program in which students work with professors in applying classroom lessons to meaningful projects for exciting companies. The quality of problems solved, intensity of the program, and how highly regarded it is by alumni, led me to believe that Ross gives additional value with its great practical experiences.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? The activity that I am looking forward to the most is taking part in the international treks. Traveling with my classmates, a highly educated and diverse group, is bound to be an exciting experience. I think it’s important to be aware of cultural differences between us, and there isn’t a better way to learn about these than to experience a different culture with a diverse group.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? My goal is to make a true impact on healthcare on a large scale. An MBA will enable me to make the transition from a healthcare provider to a leader in the industry.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I know that an MBA at Ross is a good investment because through the strong Ross network (classmates, alumni, and professors). I will have the access to new paths and opportunities that otherwise would have been closed. An MBA will give me the business tools to add to my healthcare experience, which will enable me to influence the industry in ways I wouldn’t have as a nurse.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Fuqua, Sloan and Kellogg

How did you determine your fit at various schools? Culture was the most important factor for me. I was looking for highly driven yet humble and grounded environment where I can leverage my classmates to learn. I spoke with many current students and alumni to see if I connected to their personality and their experiences, and I also visited the school. During my interactions, I paid attention to how people spoke about their job experiences and aspirations, looking for a genuine tone – and I found it in Ross.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? My defining moment was when my grandfather passed away. A month prior, he was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. My family and I left everything and flew to Israel to be with him. I helped him through his rehabilitation and was still hopeful that he would live many more years. The time I spent at the rehabilitation center pushed me to pursue a path where I can work on large-scale healthcare problems and make a difference for more patients.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? A rotational program in one of the leading healthcare companies in the U.S.

Where do you see yourself in five years? At the Israeli Ministry of health, working on impactful projects to improve the quality and accessibility of services.

Zach Zimmerman

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

“I just want to be as funny as the people I follow on Twitter.”

Hometown: Ormond Beach, FL

Fun Fact About Yourself: I am the only diehard Orlando Magic fan you’ll ever meet.

Undergraduate School and Major: Stanford University, Psychology

Most Recent Employer and Job Title:

R/GA, Portland, OR
Account Supervisor, Nike

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My first job out of college was with Red Bull Media House, where I was part of a leadership development program before becoming the product marketing manager for Red Bull TV. In that role, I was the marketing lead on a team of five young employees tasked with building a home for Red Bull’s vast inventory of content and subsequently developing an audience to actually watch it. To do this in such a competitive space, we needed to secure placement for the app and its content on the major digital over-the-top (OTT) devices.

It was a massive challenge, but when all was said and done, we launched apps on 12 partner platforms, including those of Apple, Microsoft, Google and the rest of the major players. We drove more than three million global downloads in our first year with nearly zero marketing budget. Awareness was entirely driven through relationship development with our technical partners, for which I was responsible, and through Red Bull’s owned channels.

What quality best describes the MBA classmates you’ve met so far and why? Down-to-earth.

Every school I visited had applicants and students with incredible skills and achievements. Interacting with them was nothing short of a humbling experience, and I had a lot of fun getting a better sense of the diversity and purpose of the current business school population.

Naturally, in most of my visits, I encountered some of the negative stereotypes that follow MBA students: hypercompetitive, boastful, and disconnected from the broader university community. But at Ross, I connected with genuine, humble, down-to-earth people who seemed to really support each other and consider themselves part of the greater University of Michigan community. These are the types of peers with whom I want to spend two years and who I believe will help me extract the greatest value from my MBA experience.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key factor that led you to choose this program for your full-time MBA and why was it so important to you? Perceived fit. It’s a bit vague, and it seems crazy to select something like “intuition” as the key factor, but my official and unofficial admit visits really sealed it for me.

Going into the process, I was admittedly a bit blinded by rankings and thought that I should hitch my wagon to the acceptance call from highest-ranked school. But after speaking with students and digging deeper into employment statistics, this clearly was not the right approach.

I actually received some extremely simple but excellent advice from a current Ross student during an unofficial visit. Incredibly, and luckily for me, she faced the exact same decision as I did between three great schools just a few years before. She said, “An MBA is a two-year investment of your life. You want to pick a community that you believe you can give as much of yourself to as possible, and, in return, can give as much of itself back to you.” That was how she ultimately made her decision, and that really resonated with me.

From the second I stepped foot on the Michigan campus, I legitimately felt like part of the community. The admissions team, student body and faculty went out of their way to welcome and talk me through the Ross experience. As an added bonus, they bent over backwards to help my fiancée, a nurse practitioner, develop professional connections to help make the transition to her new home as smooth as possible.

There’s so much about Ross that makes it unique: its commitment to true action-based learning; its vast alumni network; the incredible community of Ann Arbor. And the recent jump into the Top 10 certainly doesn’t hurt. But the key factor in my selection was the perceived fit for both me and my partner.

What club or activity are you looking most forward to in business school? Academically, I am excited to join the Michigan Marketing Club. I was really impressed by its current members and alumni, and I can’t wait to tap into Ross’ unique partnership with Nielsen Marketing Lab.

Recreationally, the Poker Club. I play a lot of poker, and I’m pretty confident that the competition at Ross will be better than at my current local game. I am excited for the challenge, even if a challenge is exactly what you don’t want at the poker table.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Two primary reasons:

I am extremely lucky to have worked for two world-renowned marketers (Red Bull and Nike) early in my career. This experience, combined with my editorial background – I was editor-in-chief of The Stanford Daily and have written for most of my life – provided me with a fairly well-rounded, interdisciplinary skill set. However, in a data-driven world, I want to have an improved set of quantitative tools and strategies to effectively make decisions in my professional life. My previous roles have been more focused on the creative and partnership sides of marketing and less on true marketing analysis. I believe an MBA will provide me with that missing piece of the puzzle.

Secondly, I have become really passionate about organizational psychology in recent years, so much so that I at once explored pursuing a PhD in the field. In both of my professional stops, I have observed employer policies and structures that have tremendously affected productivity and work life, both positively and negatively. Given my ambitions to eventually lead a large marketing organization as a CMO, an MBA will give me the theoretical foundation to become an effective leader and the opportunities to apply that theory in real-world situations.

How did you decide if an MBA was worth the investment? I spent the bulk of my time as an undergraduate thinking I would eventually pursue a career in sports journalism. It wasn’t until a not-so-great internship before my senior year that I decided to go in a different direction. That’s when I stumbled into marketing.

Because of the late switch, my pre-MBA career has really been a fortunate series of trials, where I have experienced the industry with a fresh perspective and learned, for better or worse, what I really do and don’t like. Now, six years deep, I feel like I have a solid understanding of my professional interests and motivations, as well as a clear idea of where I can personally improve and grow. Situationally, this was always where I wanted to be if and when I decided to go to business school.

Additionally, despite my experience, I felt that I was getting a bit boxed in to a career as an advertising account guy. My time at R/GA was great, but I’ve always envisioned myself more as a client-side, strategic decision-maker than as a client services representative for an agency. I knew that an MBA would allow me to expand my opportunities and cleanly transition away from this track, and this felt like the perfect time to make a change.

The time and financial impact were obviously factored in as well, but I had prepared for a potential trip to graduate school, and the two-year gap felt like a small but extremely worthwhile investment for the next 40+ years of my career.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Kellogg, Booth, Yale SOM

How did you determine your fit at various schools? Exclusively Poets & Quants, my favorite website on the internet.

But seriously, it began with a lot of online research. I did my best to get a general sense of what each school was about (taking answers from anonymous internet commenters with a grain of salt) and proceeded from there.

Then, I tried to identify students at each school that had similar paths, interests, or goals. The admissions departments were usually pretty helpful in connecting me with the right people, and the students provided a lot of good insights into the opportunities and resources available to like-minded peers.

I also evaluated the internship and employment statistics made available by each of the programs. Companies, roles and salaries were all important, but I was equally interested in the geographic breakdown of opportunities. I want to make my way back to the Pacific Northwest in the near future, so getting a sense of what was available in that region of the country was important.

However, as mentioned above, the most critical factor was the visit. Online resources, emails and phone calls can only tell you so much. The visits allowed us to sift through a lot of the jargon, ask some challenging, in-person questions and get a true sense for how we’d fit in as both student and partner.

What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are? As a kid, I battled debilitating childhood anxiety. I was a huge sports fan and grew up idolizing anchors like Stuart Scott, who confidently and brilliantly shared his voice with the entire world every morning. I had my own dreams of becoming a SportsCenter anchor, but as I struggled through simple things like phone calls and class discussions. As a result, my aspirations felt out of reach.

Close to giving up, I identified an opportunity to host a sports radio show of my own on a local AM station that had an empty slot just before Monday Night Football. The first step was to pitch the station owner on my idea: an hour-long, call-in, pregame show, hosted by me, an anxious 16-year-old high school student. I worked tirelessly to build self-confidence as I prepared my presentation. I practiced delivering both my proposal and mock radio segments into the mirror. The actual pitch was daunting, but I ultimately landed the gig. This probably had more to do with the owner not feeling very attached to a one-hour slot on AM radio in Volusia County, FL, but I was nonetheless on top of the world.

The experience of hosting that show was indescribably empowering and is still one of the highlights of my life. It not only allowed me to live out one of my dreams, but also gave me the confidence to battle through adversity in the pursuit of my goals. I attribute that perseverance as a teenager to most of my success today.

What do you plan to do after you graduate? I plan to make my way back client-side in a senior marketing role that allows me to combine my past experience as a creative marketer with the analytic rigor that I hope to acquire during business school. Ideally, I would team up with an active lifestyle brand. But with how broad marketing has become, I am keeping my options open.

Where do you see yourself in five years? In five years, I see myself having carved out an exciting and fulfilling career path. I hope to have made significant strides as an influential decision-maker and engaging leader in a company’s marketing organization and be well on my way to becoming a CMO.

Most importantly, I see myself back in the Pacific Northwest with my wife, dog and (maybe) first kid. Of all of my stops, this area of the country has felt most like home, and I would love to settle here one day. And no matter how challenging and thrilling my professional life becomes, I will always prioritize my family.

The post Meet the Michigan Ross MBA Class of 2020 appeared first on Poets&Quants.

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