Meet The Michigan Ross MBA Class Of 2025

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE MANAGING DIRECTOR

P&Q: What have been the two most important developments in your MBA program over the past year? What type of impact will they have on current and future MBAs?

Ganderson: “Two of the most important developments for the Full-Time MBA Program at Ross are the addition of two new concentrations and two new student-led clubs.

Based on both student interest and employer demand, along with exceptional faculty and resources available at Ross, students can now earn a concentration in one of our two new concentrations: i) Design Thinking & Innovation and ii) environmental, social, and governance. This is in addition to the concentrations and dual degree (22) programs we already offer. Current and future MBA students seek a business and leadership education that prepares them to think differently and solve big and complex societal problems. The addition of these two concentrations will add depth to the already rich academic experience for students who are interested in these growing fields.

Also, there are two new student-led clubs: First at Ross (for first-gen students) & BLDA (Business Leaders for Diverse Abilities). At Michigan Ross, we are passionate about creating a culture and environment that is inclusive and embraces diversity. Students thrive here because of their ability to affect change, educate each other, and leave a positive impact on the community for years long after graduation.”

P&Q: Give us your one-minute pitch for your business school. What makes you unique?

Ganderson: “Action. Impact. Community.

If you want to learn by doing, then there is no better place to earn an MBA than at Michigan Ross where we emphasize action-based learning. From the required MAP project to managing real investment funds, we believe students learn best by doing and receiving real-time feedback.

The University of Michigan and Ross have always been motivated to drive positive change in business and society. The resources at Ross, such as the +Impact Studio, equips MBA students with the space and tools to build a better future. In terms of curriculum, students can also earn a joint degree from the schools of Public Health and Public Policy, and Social Work, just to name a few.

The community is special here not only at Michigan Ross and the university as a whole, but also in Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor has received numerous accolades as “best city,” most innovative, green, etc. The city and university are synonymous, so students come here and feel embraced and included anywhere you go. There’s something special about hearing “Go Blue” everyday or cheering on the football team with 100,000+ “friends” at the Big House. Ann Arbor may be relatively small compared to large metropolitan areas, but there is no shortage of culture and resources given the size and strength of the university.”

P&Q: Sustainability has emerged as a major attraction to prospective MBA students. How does your full-time MBA program integrate sustainability across its curriculum?

Ganderson: “One of the great benefits of earning an MBA degree at Michigan Ross is the access to 100+ other top 10 programs across the university. One in particular, the Erb Dual Degree, is the most comprehensive MBA/MS Environment & Sustainability dual degree program available, bridging interdisciplinary opportunities between schools. Our Erb students are some of our strongest MBA candidates who drive impact in both business and society. Also, as mentioned before, due to increased student interest and an increase in career opportunities in sustainability, we are adding an ESG concentration. In addition to curricular opportunities, we practice what we preach and are moving to more zero-waste programming for both small-and-large scale events.”

P&Q: What are some key elements in your teaching of leadership? What types of options does your school offer that deepens student experience with leadership and makes them more competitive in the marketplace?

Ganderson: “At Michigan Ross, we deliver leadership training throughout the experience, from orientation through graduation. In particular, the Sanger Leadership Center is dedicated to training better leaders through self-coaching. We teach the “Michigan Model of Leadership,” based on empirical research and real-world practice. It provides a lens to understand which leadership skills learners have already polished and which skills need improvement. If students complete a combination of assessments, programs, electives and a capstone project, they can now earn a Michigan Ross Leader Endorsement which can make them more competitive in the market. In fact, 100% of alumni believe that their experience with Sanger was valuable in their growth as a leader. At Sanger, some of the innovative opportunities students can participate in include the Leadership Crisis Challenge, Story Lab, and Legacy Lab.”

P&Q: Two years ago, P&Q asked you to share how you’ve integrated AI, STEM, analytics, and digital disruption into your programming. Since then, what types of enhancements have you made in these areas?

Ganderson: “Since launching in Fall 2021, the Business+Tech Initiative has held six programs with over 2,500 participants across all schools and colleges, and awarded over $30,000 in prize money to student teams. Business+Tech cultivates technologically curious students who are ambitious, adaptable, and collaborative. Our programs and activities are designed for everyone in mind, focusing on three core areas of literacy, competency, and mastery. It is the institute’s belief that tech and business are increasingly intertwined, and that the leaders of tomorrow will be able to navigate the complexities of this dynamic relationship.

Ross hosted the third annual Sports Tech Business Conference in March 2023 – the event continues to bring together top companies and leaders from across sports, business, and technology to discuss key trends impacting the industry. Last year’s conference consisted of networking opportunities, panel discussions, and a keynote fireside chat focused on a variety of topics in sports tech and highlighted industry professionals such as Paul Ballew, Chief Data and Analytics Officer for the NFL, and Amber Nichols, General Manager of Capital City Go Go.

The Michigan Ross FinTech Initiative bridges the gap between traditional business education and the skills employers need, now and in the future. We achieve this with a variety of FinTech courses for both undergraduate and graduate students, including FinTech Innovations, and FinTech: Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, and Other Technology Innovations.”

P&Q: How many courses outside the business school can MBAs take during your program? To what extent has your business school embraced coursework from other schools and departments at your university? Are students from other schools and departments at the university allowed to take MBA electives?

Ganderson: “In the Full-Time MBA Program, students can earn up to 10 credits outside Ross (~3-4 courses). Not only are they permitted, but we highly encourage students to take courses outside of Ross. We firmly believe in a cross-disciplinary education, for business leaders must be agile and adept to lead across different industries and functions throughout their career. As mentioned earlier, we not only have 22 formal dual degree options, but students can also create their unique dual degree program. Non-Ross students can also take electives at Ross.”

P&Q: What is your biggest student-run event of the year and what does it reflect about your school?

Ganderson: “There are a couple worth mentioning, including VETx. Each year, this event draws between 250-300 attendees from Ross, UM, and the greater Ann Arbor community. This event reflects our commitment to showing up for one another, for learning from one another, and for honoring the backgrounds and lived experiences of our students. Every year, in honor of Veterans Day, the Ross School of Business Armed Forces Association hosts a series of veteran speakers sharing the experiences that made them the leaders that they are today. VETx provides a chance for everyone to connect with the Ross veteran community. The event features a series of long and short stories from veteran MBA students in a TEDx format.

In February 2024, Michigan Ross will host the next installment of the annual ClimateCAP Summit: The Global MBA Summit on Climate, Capital & Business. This event brings together MBA students, business leaders, and experts from around the world to assess the implications of climate change for business and investment. At the summit, students gain a deeper understanding of how climate change is shaping industries and markets, where the biggest financial and operational risks lie, and what promising innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities are emerging. ClimateCAP seeks to differentiate itself from the many conferences and discussions focused on the financial and operational implications of climate change on business decisions. Instead, ClimateCAP focuses on efforts across industries to create a compelling business case for responding to climate change.

Set to be the largest event yet in Ann Arbor, we will be attracting around 400 MBA students and 500 total attendees. This year’s conference theme is Sustainability in Motion and will emphasize the opportunities to rebuild the Michigan/Detroit clean economy with equity at its core. Hosting this event gives us a chance to showcase that Ross is a sustainability focused school and also signals that Michigan is a leader on climate research and education.”

ADVICE TO PROSPECTIVE APPLICANTS

“I would advise candidates to extend their focus beyond academic and standardized test accomplishments. Reflect on the impact they’ve generated over the years and how it has contributed to making a difference. It’s important to recognize that you are more than just test scores. I suggest being mindful of your journey and emphasizing those distinct experiences; undoubtedly, everyone has a unique story to share. Aim to spotlight these narratives. Above all, endeavor to connect the dots between your past, present, and future. Illustrate why pursuing an MBA is your path, why it’s timely, and what your ultimate long-term goal entails.”
Aruj Parajuli (’25)

“Find your community, and take advice only from select people who are supportive and credible. The application process involves a lot of vulnerability, and you don’t want to waste energy by following advice that leads you to a wrong direction. Building a small group of “success buddies” and finding a proper echoing board — someone who is really familiar with the MBA world — can be very helpful.”
Pei-Hua Yu (’25)

“I am proud to have displayed my personal values throughout my MBA application process. The biggest piece of advice that I give to prospective students is that “you are the only person able to tell your story”. More important than what you are able to do with leadership skills is why and how you are going to lead. Within my professional and academic career, I have been able to identify three guiding principles for my life: 1) personal health is collective wealth; 2) co-create and highlight with your community every step of the way; and 3) place big bets on yourself.”
Joi Ebele (’23)

MBA Student	Hometown	Undergraduate Alma Mater	Last Employer
Maya Ambady	Winchester, MA	Stanford University	Albright Stonebridge Group
Brennan Dougherty	Ellicott City, MD	United States Merchant Marine Academy	U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York
Rachel Hain	Dayton, OH	University of Evansville	Chicago Children’s Museum
Olivia Harris	Nashville, TN	Vanderbilt University	Imagen Technologies
Harshvardhan Joshi	Vasai, India	University of Mumbai	Elev8 Expeditions
Cole Lethebe	Calgary, Canada	University of Calgary	Canadian Pacific Kansas City
Benedicta Maame Nyarko-Mensah	Akrokerri, Ghana	Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology	Standard Bank Group
Aruj Parajuli	Biratnagar, Nepal	National Institute of Technology, Allahabad	IHF
Sergio Peschiera	Lima, Peru	Universidad del Pacífico	Revolut
Brianna Ross	Somerton, AZ	Stanford University	NIKE, Inc.
Pei-Hua Yu	Hsinchu County, Taiwan	University of Hong Kong	The People’s Map of Global China
Lancer Yuan	Shanghai, China	Shanghai Conservatory of Music	ITS Center