All speakers and award winners will be posted here as information becomes available.
Jenny Just // Guest Speaker
BBA '90
Jenny Just is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of PEAK6 Investments, a diversified financial services and technology firm she co-founded in 1997. For nearly three decades, she has founded, scaled, and led businesses across proprietary trading, fintech, insurance, esports, and financial education.
Just began her career in options trading in Chicago at O’Connor & Associates, where she developed the technical and analytical foundation that shaped PEAK6’s investment and operating approach. She launched PEAK6 with $1.5 million in seed capital as a proprietary options trading firm and helped grow it into a multibillion-dollar enterprise. Today, the PEAK6 platform includes businesses such as PEAK6 Capital Management, PEAK6 Strategic Capital, Apex Fintech Solutions, Team Focus Insurance Group, We Insure, Evil Geniuses, and Zogo.
In addition to her investment and operating work, Just is focused on expanding access to financial capability and leadership opportunities, particularly for women. In 2020, she co-founded Poker Power with her daughter, Juliette, using poker as a tool to build strategic thinking, risk intelligence, and decision-making skills. She has also created initiatives at PEAK6 including the Women’s Trading Experience and Women’s Technology Experience.
Just serves on the Women and Public Policy Board at the Harvard Kennedy School and is a Champion at JOURNEY to Lead. She is a Michigan Ross alum (BBA '90). Her recognitions include being named a 2025 CNBC Changemaker and inclusion on Forbes’ lists of America’s Richest Self-Made Women and 50 Over 50, as well as Worth’s Groundbreaking Women.
Student Speakers
Rahul Narain, MBA ’26
Growing up in four cities across three countries, Rahul came to Ross because of the connection he felt to its vibrant and diverse community. Before Ross, he worked in the nonprofit space helping under-resourced entrepreneurs grow their businesses. From there, he transitioned to the fintech sector at Stripe, where he developed the strategy that guides Stripe's engagement with early-stage startups. At Ross, Rahul served as president of the MBA Council, as a peer coach and student ambassador, and contributed to Follies, the student comedy club, as a writer, actor, and director. This summer, he interned on Nike's Global Stores team and plans to pursue a career in the sports apparel industry after graduating.
Jiya Sheth, BBA ’26
Jiya is a graduating BBA student with a minor in real estate from River Edge, New Jersey. At Michigan Ross, she served as an ambassador for the Sanger Leadership Center, vice president of APEX Consulting, and a senior mentor in Victors Value Investments. She is also a Ross Leaders Academy graduate. Beyond academics, Jiya has a passion for Bollywood and directed a national collegiate dance competition, A2 Dhoom. She also captained the TAAL Michigan Bollywood fusion dance team and enjoys DJing in her free time. After graduation, she will be joining PwC’s Capital Markets team in New York City. Jiya is deeply grateful to her family, faculty, and friends for their unwavering support, which made the past four years unforgettable.
Pavithraa Sudhakar, MM ’26
Pavithraa earned a bachelor’s degree in 3D animation and visual effects from the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where she directed an award-winning music video, ALIVE. She has worked as a visual effects artist on film and television projects, including American Horror Stories and the Mean Girls Broadway movie adaptation. During the MM Program, Pavithraa was involved in Ross action-based learning and consulting, contributing to client-facing projects focused on technology and product strategy. Pavithraa is a vocalist and community director of the Ross MBA rock band, Risky Business. She would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for their continued support and guidance on her journey of learning and growth.
Cory Phinney, MBA ’26
Cory earned his undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has spent his career in finance, beginning in fixed-income trading before moving into banking. He previously served as chief financial officer of a credit union and now serves as vice president of financial planning and analysis and treasury at a bank in upstate New York. In his roles, he has worked closely with executive leadership and boards on financial strategy and long-term planning. He and his wife live in the Adirondacks with their three children. Outside of work, Cory coaches his children’s baseball teams and spends much of his time with his family, from boating on Lake George to cheering them on in their many activities.
Student award recipients are selected by their graduating peers for being exemplary role models who display continuous dedication to Michigan Ross.
The Frank S. Moran Distinguished Leadership Awards are presented to two graduating students who have made outstanding contributions to improve the business school experience for students, staff, and faculty, and have been active in all aspects of the Michigan Ross community. One award is given to a student in a graduate program, and another award is given to a BBA student. Both are supported by a special endowment honoring Frank Sullivan Moran. Frank Moran was not just a successful business leader; he also was a philosopher and educator who cared deeply about helping others.
Jivesh Dandnaik, BBA ‘26
Undergraduate Frank S. Moran Leadership Award
Jivesh is from Novi, Michigan, and served as president of the Global Investments Committee and held leadership roles in four other organizations. He aspires to lead with selfless service, guided by the mantra “In the joy of others lies our own.” Post-graduation, Jivesh will join Blackstone’s Real Estate team in New York City.
Felipe Sahb Furtado, MBA ‘26
Graduate Frank S. Moran Leadership Award
Felipe earned his MD in Brazil and completed a research fellowship at Harvard University before pursuing his MBA. At Ross, he shaped education programming for the Healthcare and Life Sciences Club, mentored founders at the Impact Studio, and served as a peer coach. After graduation, he will join McKinsey & Co. in Detroit.
The Ross Global Citizenship Community Service Awards are presented annually to graduating students who have made exemplary contributions to their community – both at Michigan Ross and beyond. Each award recipient designates the charity of their choice to which the award stipend will be donated. Conceived in 1998 by students of the Ross Global Citizenship Club, this award is supported by an endowment created through gifts from club members, students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Peter Parlagreco, BBA ‘26
Undergraduate Global Citizenship Community Service Award
Peter hails from Mays Landing, New Jersey. He is a proud nephew, cousin, son, and baby brother. As a lifelong student, personal mentor, and loyal friend, he aims to leave everyone better than he found them. After graduation, Peter will serve as an active-duty U.S. Army Signal Officer. Peter’s donation will go to Philippines Humanitarian.
Shafeeq Essa, MBA ‘26
Graduate Global Citizenship Community Service Award
Adopted from Karachi and raised outside Houston, Shafeeq’s journey shaped a deep belief in community and connection. At Ross, he served as vice president of allyship for the Black Business Student Association and mentored undergraduates. He will return to Chicago with his wife, Laura, and dog, Mochi, to work in corporate strategy. In his honor, Ross is donating 2,500 meals to the Maize and Blue Cupboard.
The Michigan Ross Outstanding Leadership Awards sponsored by the Sanger Leadership Center recognizes graduating students who have made impactful contributions and demonstrated outstanding achievement within the Master of Accounting, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Management, Master of Supply Chain Management, Online MBA, and Weekend MBA programs. The Sanger Leadership Center seeks to democratize the leadership development process by providing students, alumni, and external affiliates with the bold ideas, transformative experiences, and inclusive communities needed to self-guide and accelerate leadership development.
Grace Agoubi, MM ‘26
Michigan Ross Outstanding Leadership Award
Grace is a first-generation student from Rochester Hills, Michigan, who earned her undergraduate degree in political science from Oakland University. At Ross, she served as the Alumni Relations Chair for the Masters of Management Student Association, where she enjoyed building meaningful connections that last beyond graduation. Grace hopes to pursue a career in law. Go Blue!
Ridha Al-Wishah, WMBA ‘26
Michigan Ross Outstanding Leadership Award
Ridha is the proud son of Abdullah, husband of Alaa, and father of Mehdi and Mohamed. He holds degrees in economics, electrical engineering, and industrial engineering, as well as a newly minted MBA from Michigan Ross. With gratitude to his family, classmates, peers, professors, and administrative staff, he hopes to pursue a Doctor of Engineering.
Mia Hodges, MBAn ‘26
Michigan Ross Outstanding Leadership Award
Mia Hodges is from Westlake Village, California, where she grew up a competitive softball player. She earned a degree in business quantitative analysis and statistics at California Polytechnic State University. After graduating, she volunteered in Zimbabwe, Africa, then pursued her master’s at Michigan Ross. Following graduation, Mia is moving to Chicago to begin her career as a data analyst at Deloitte.
Stanley Keith, MAcc ‘26
Michigan Ross Outstanding Leadership Award
Stan is a Kent, Ohio native and went on to study at Colgate University, where he double-majored in English and economics. He is thrilled to begin his accounting career with Weaver in New York City and is immensely grateful for the unwavering support of his mom, dad, and sister.
Drishti Narang, MSCM ‘26
Michigan Ross Outstanding Leadership Award
Drishti brought a decade of experience across sourcing and consulting to the MSCM Program. At Ross, she wore many hats — idea generator to EarthCred, leading the consulting dashboard, and uplifting her cohort. Passionate about artificial intelligence and technology, she is committed to building resilient, sustainable, and future-ready supply chain solutions. She believes in leading with action, awareness, and empathy.
Ashley O’Brien, OMBA ‘26
Michigan Ross Outstanding Leadership Award
Ashley graduated with a dance degree from Hope College, danced professionally, and led a dance company while working in retail and human resources consulting in Chicago. She's now a senior manager, talent management at The Kraft Heinz Co. A grateful mother of two, she leads with grit, creativity, and a passion for empowering others.
The Neary Teaching Excellence Awards are selected by the student body in recognition of outstanding contributions to their academic learning experience at the Ross School of Business. The stipends that accompany the awards have been made possible by the generosity of the late Robert D. Neary, BBA '55, and his wife, Janet E. Neary, AB '54. Mr. Neary’s career spanned 38 years with Ernst & Young, and both he and Mrs. Neary remained involved with the University of Michigan after their graduations. The Nearys’ support of these awards affirmed their belief that teaching excellence is largely “the ability to make the pursuit of knowledge an exciting endeavor…the kind of excitement that is contagious and long-lasting.”