Success Story

From Student-Led Fund to Venture Capital Partner

Paul McCreadie, MBA '03 Partner + Chief Operating Officer, Arboretum Ventures When Paul McCreadie began the full-time MBA program at Michigan Ross in 2001, he had limited knowledge of the world of venture capital. Today, he is a Partner with Arboretum Ventures,...

Accessing Food Programs During COVID-19

Jack Griffin, Michigan Ross, BBA 2019 Founder, FoodFinder While attending high school Jack Griffin (BBA ‘19) was inspired to create a tool to connect those facing food insecurity with local pantries. What began as a teenage aspiration is now an award-winning tool in...

From MBC Winner to Y Combinator

Walker McHugh, MSE ’17 CoFounder, PreDxion Bio Some people fall in love with finance or management or even entrepreneurship. Walker McHugh, MSE ’17, fell in love with the immune system. When Walker was a freshman, he met Dr. Timothy Cornell, a critical care physician...

Army Veteran Applies Leadership Skills to Tech Startup

Michael Thompson, MBA' 17 Vice President of Business Development, Neurable During his seven years as a U.S. Army officer, Michael Thompson, MBA ’17, gained combat experience in Afghanistan, led a 130-person infantry company for two years and earned the rank of...

MBA Student Retools Her Skill Set for a Career in Private Equity

Ann Brophy, MBA ’15 , Last year, Ann Brophy, MBA ’15, decided to pivot into a career in private equity after rising through the management ranks at financial data provider S&P Capital IQ. The logical next step was returning to academics for an MBA degree that would...

MBA Student Connects Ethical Shoppers with Sustainable Products

Marianna Kerppola, MBA/MS ’16 , Marianna Kerppola, MBA/MS ’16, has leveraged Zell Lurie Institute resources to launch BetterHope, an online marketplace for products made with dignity. “As a mission-based business, BetterHope endeavors to show consumers how they can...

Taking a Leadership Role in Venture Capital

Shane Kelly, MBA ’13 Executive Director, Wolverine Angel Network Shane Kelly, MBA ’13, has used his entrepreneurial-studies education at the Zell Lurie Institute and his venture-capital investment experience at the Wolverine Venture Fund as strategic stepping stones...