Braylen Stevens

University of Michigan, Ross School of Business

“A visionary, problem solver, and lifelong learner, with an “anything is possible” mindset.”

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI

Fun Fact About Yourself: I enjoy live theater, especially all things August Wilson.

Undergraduate School and Major: DePaul University – Driehaus College of Business, Accounting Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Google, Product Finance Analyst, Nest/Google Smart Home

Michigan Ross is best known for experiential learning programming like MAP, Living Business Leadership Experience, and the Leadership Crisis Challenge. What experiential program interests you the most (and why)? My greatest interest lies in the MAP program, as I’ve heard nothing but amazing things from students about how MAP truly shapes their learning and development. I’m eager to immerse myself in that experience. What excites me most is the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by working with a firm on a real, high-stakes business challenge. With Ross being known for its action-based learning, MAP is the epitome of that philosophy. I am specifically intrigued by the potential to work on a project with a global focus. I am committed to developing as a global business leader, and this would allow me to do that.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Michigan Ross’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The Zell Lurie Institute (ZLI) for Entrepreneurial Studies was a strong factor in my decision to choose Ross. As a founder and visionary, I’ve spent the last few years building my own brand and carving out unique opportunities for myself. The institute is robust, founder-focused, and provides an immense bowl of tangible resources. This is exactly what I need to accelerate my entrepreneurial journey, and it is crucial for me. I see my MBA as the next step that I take in leaning into the ideas that keep me up at night. ZLI provides a unique ecosystem to take the relationships and opportunities that I’ve already created and scale them into something truly impactful.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at Michigan Ross? I am excited to join and contribute to the Entertainment, Media, and Sports Business Association (EMSA) at Ross. My passions for these industries are deeply rooted in my experience acting, working in sports during my undergraduate career, and developing experience in tech. I am eager to explore how I can bridge the worlds of technology and culture alongside my peers. I am also excited to take a course with Professor Collins, specifically tailored to Brand Management.

What is your unique quality that will enable you to make a big contribution to the Class of 2027?  My most unique quality is my ability to connect seemingly disparate ideas and people, a skill that I’ve honed through a broad range of experiences. I don’t just see the world through a single lens; I view it from multiple perspectives as an experienced finance professional in Big Tech, a serial entrepreneur/founder, a creative marketer, and a community builder. This isn’t just about seeing a problem from every angle; it’s about synthesizing those different viewpoints into a more robust and complete solution. This breadth of experience will allow me to make various contributions to the Class of 2027 throughout my time and beyond, both inside and outside of the classroom.

When you think of the University of Michigan, what is the first word that comes to mind? Why? The word, STRONG! Ross has a STRONG alumni network, a STRONG sense of school spirit, STRONG professors and faculty, STRONG networking opportunities, a STRONG body of students from various backgrounds, and the list goes on! I am so blessed and excited to be here.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of my biggest accomplishments is launching my brand and consultancy, MBRACED, at 19 years old. This entrepreneurial experience has been a personal career highlight as it introduced me to entity development, ownership, and scaling at a very early stage.

Most recently, through MBRACED, we launched “Seat at the Table,” a key initiative for talent retention and holistic development. What started as a conversation about missed opportunities to connect and ideate with peers turned into a thriving community and sought-after experience. This year, we celebrated our third annual gala, with over 50 companies represented, demonstrating my ability to build a vision from the ground up, drive tangible results, and cultivate a professional network.

The success of these projects has taught me about the power of calculated bets. This lesson has directly informed my approach to complex challenges at Google, where I’ve overseen financials and strategy from new product ideation through market launch and growth for the Pixel Tablet accessory line and Nest thermostat portfolios.

© Copyright 2026 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.