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 Mercedes Horst
MBA 2008
Marketing Leadership Development Rotation Program, Medtronic
Santa Rosa, Calif.
“When I first visited Ross, I was extremely impressed by the collaborative energy of the student community. The enthusiasm for the program and the genuine sense of community carried through from my initial information sessions to my alumni interview and Go Blue Rendezvous weekend.
“Once I arrived, I was even more impressed. Ross students are extremely motivated. They are competitive within themselves while being incredibly supportive of one another. My classmates have played a vital role in my MBA experience, and I can’t imagine a more collaborative, genuine, or talented group of people.” |
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 Ralph Johnson
MBA 1992
Director of Operations & Administration, Social Sector Office
McKinsey & Company
Cleveland, Ohio
“Since graduating from Ross, I have had the privilege to chair the Alumni Board of Governors and be a member of the Campaign and Visiting Committees. I also stay connected with Ross by occasionally presenting in classes, speaking to groups of students, and participating in my firm’s recruiting efforts.
“Why do I do this? Because Ross was the door into parts of the business world I had never experienced. Because many of my colleagues and friends are also Ross alums. Because Ross has had a singularly positive effect on my professional life.” |
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 Gautam Kaul
John C. and Sally S. Moran Professor of Finance
“Ross students are inquisitive and persistent. It is a joy to teach them.”
In 2005, Professor Guatam Kaul was honored by Ross students with the Sustainability Pioneer Award for developing a course, at the request of students, which focuses on the financial aspects of sustainable business.
Professor Kaul’s research addresses the behavior of stock and bond prices in the U.S. and other developed countries. His specific interests include asset pricing models, market microstructure, and the time-series behavior of stock prices. He has recently used computer-intensive methodologies to gauge the effectiveness of trading strategies commonly proposed on Wall Street.
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 Grace Lee
MBA 2008
Assistant Product Director, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.
Skillman, N.J.
“Ross attracts a specific type of person: smart and ambitious, but also relaxed and comfortable with who they are. Everyone is extremely successful, but also a lot of fun. The social aspect of school is very prominent and memorable, but then you look at the careers people pursue, and it’s quite impressive.
“Working in teams is so integral to the learning experience at Ross. You collaborate on projects that are very challenging, and often with people you don’t know. I think you are guaranteed success if you can master how to do this well.
“There are so many opportunities here for people to develop themselves, and the school really facilitates students’ just ‘going for it.’ They’ll give you resources and faculty support, but also the autonomy you need. I’m a better person because of my time at Ross. I feel better prepared, and I’m a better leader." |
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 Karimah Malcolm
MBA 2005
Consultant
Bain & Company
Los Angeles, Calif.
“I was drawn to Ross by its action-based learning model. I was especially interested in the Wolverine Venture Fund and the opportunity to learn firsthand what it’s like to be a venture capitalist.
“As a leader of one of the four Wolverine Venture Fund teams during my second year, I learned that being a venture capitalist is more than just deciding how to invest money, but also about being an expert in a particular field and then leveraging that expertise to benefit start-up companies.
“Looking back, I know this experience would simply not have been possible at any other business school. Ross is creating the standard for investment training on a very tangible level. It truly transformed my educational experience and my career trajectory.” |
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 Kathy Marryat
Vice President
U.S. Site Marketing
American Express Interactive
“There always has been a great cultural fit with Ross students and American Express. The strong focus at Ross on teamwork and driving results translates perfectly when the students arrive at work, and they do extremely well. American Express is fortunate to have a large number of Ross alumni as employees, and as a result our recruiting efforts are strengthened by all the support we get from those former students. It’s a great match.” |
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 Lisa Mazzoni
MBA 2004
Strategy Consultant, Deloitte
Chicago, Ill.
“I began my career as an assistant controller for Marriott Hotels and was on the traditional finance track. Changing career tracks was my impetus for returning to school.
“While at Ross, I concluded that consulting was a match because of the environments it exposed me to and the skills it demanded of me.
“In my summer internship at Paulmara Estates Winery in Adelaide, Australia, I learned a lot about real business challenges (and grapes).
“In fact, the Ross philosophy of action-based learning can be used to describe consulting. The method prepared me for my new career by incorporating real engagements into the classroom. Exposure to real-world business issues introduced new dynamics of actually running a project versus simply cracking a case.”
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 Ralph Mutschler
MBA 2009
Emphasis in Corporate Strategy and Entrepreneurship
“I worked in the automation division of an industrial company in Germany for almost seven years before deciding to make a career change and pursue an MBA. My background is in technology, and I was curious about these different aspects of business: marketing, finance, and management skills. I was particularly impressed by Ross because of its focus on general management.
“I really enjoyed my Valuation class with Professor Uday Rajan. He was able to combine all the financial knowledge we needed with the strategic perspective of how to do valuation and acquire a company.
“Coming from Europe, it is a huge challenge to get an American MBA. I talked to several Ross alumni in Europe, and they were all really down to earth and able to help me. If I had to do it again, I definitely would choose Ross.” |
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 Heath Silverman
MBA 2008
Accelerated Leadership Program
Intel Corporation
Santa Clara, Calif.
Heath received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award during his last year at Ross and was a finalist in the Michigan Business Challenge, a student competition for funding to advance business concepts. He incorporated and is launching the company that he entered in that competition. Heath also served as co-chair of Entrepalooza, the annual symposium sponsored by the Zell Lurie Institute and the Entrepreneur & Venture Club.
“One of the first clubs I joined when I came to Ross was the Entrepreneur & Venture Club, and I eventually served as co-president. It’s a great way to get to know your fellow entrepreneurs and also work with them if you have similar aspirations in terms of getting a business off the ground.
“I also immediately became involved in the Frankel Commercialization Fund, which is a pre-seed technology investment fund. It’s action-based learning at its best. We actually got to go out and find early-stage companies, do the due diligence on them, and make real investments with real money.”
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