Pavel Dounaevski

I was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and moved to the US when I was five years old, initially settling on the East Coast with my family. I hold dual bachelor's degrees in Political Science and International Relations from Valley Forge Military Academy & College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Inspired by the prospect of a career focused on public service and meaningful impact, I joined the U.S. Army. Over the next ten years, I took on various leadership roles both within the U.S. and abroad. I completed multiple tours overseas as part of a special operations task force.

Recognizing that the leadership skills I gained in the military could be valuable in the civilian sector, I decided to pursue an MBA to facilitate my career transition. I chose the Ross School of Business for its action-based curriculum, tight-knit community, and global reach. During my summer internship, I worked with a management consulting firm on an implementation study.

Outside of my professional life, I have a penchant for collecting rare bourbons and enjoy backcountry skiing. I also love traveling with my wife and our German Shepherd, Loki. Although I admit to being a mediocre dancer and an unsuccessful comedian, I'm deeply committed to giving back to the veteran community as a current member of the Armed Forces Association.