Pavel Vladimir Raphael

I was born in Los Angeles and grew up in sunny Miami. Before Ross, I spent 8 years in recruiting, specifically in the information technology space. I loved my work, but wanted to broaden my scope, further my education, and pivot into a new challenge, and so an MBA made perfect sense for me.

In applying to different full-time programs, the most important elements for me were finding the right culture, and being excited about the learning environment. I wanted to be surrounded by warm, collaborative peers who worked together to bring everyone forward. I also wanted to learn from top-notch faculty through a dynamic, engaging curriculum. I'm happy to say I found both in droves at Ross! I really can't emphasize enough how strong the community is.

Outside of school and work, I love to run, meditate, and read. Super happy to talk books, hear about your story, and answer any questions you might have about Michigan Ross! My path was also unconventional, having finished my undergraduate degree when I was already well into my professional career (and only a year before starting here!), so I love talking with anyone coming from non-traditional educational or professional backgrounds!