Career-minded Collaborators: Meet the Michigan Ross Executive MBA Class of 2026

Members of the Michigan Ross EMBA Class of 2026 hail from 23 states and 10 countries. Their average 14 years of full-time work experience — with an average nine years of supervisory experience — spans more than 30 different industries, including healthcare, technology, financial services, and government/military. Twelve percent hold positions as presidents, owners, and C-suite executives. Additionally, 38% of the class has already earned at least one advanced degree.

The cohort members began their EMBA journeys in August, kicking off 21 months of rigorous coursework, action-based learning experiences, general leadership development, networking, and more.

Meet three members of the newest Michigan Ross Executive MBA class below.

Ryan McWhirter

Hometown: Saint Clair Shores, Michigan
Current job: Vice president of product strategy, 365 Retail Markets
Undergraduate school/major: Michigan State University, telecommunications

What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far? 
I’ve been fortunate to be with my current employer for almost 13 years. When I joined, we were approximately 10 people with a single domestic product, trying to disrupt traditional vending and food service operations. It took time to iterate the product and convince these industries that our innovation was unique and needed. Thirteen years later, we now have well over 50 products in 10+ countries and a staff of 600 who make it all possible. Helping to scale the business to this size, becoming the leading provider in this space, and having a team around me to scale for the next 13 years and beyond is what I consider to be my greatest professional accomplishment so far.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross EMBA Program? 
As my professional responsibilities have grown, so too has my desire to become better at executing on all dimensions of the business. I rarely interacted with finance, legal, and international operations at the beginning of my career, but now do so daily. It became apparent that to succeed in my current role, I needed to develop a deeper understanding of these areas to make informed decisions and contribute more strategically.

What made the Ross EMBA Program stand out to you versus other programs?
For me, the Ross curriculum seemed much more robust, and the sequencing of the themes looked like (as a product guy) a literal roadmap for becoming an executive. Beyond that, Executive Multidisciplinary Action Projects also jumped out at me as something entirely unique. The ability to immediately apply newly acquired skills in the real world and then bring those practical experiences back into the classroom is something I am looking forward to.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross? 
I am looking forward to applying my skills with ExecMAP, meeting more of the incredible faculty, and perhaps most importantly, continuing to get to know and forge relationships with my amazing cohort. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by so many driven, collaborative, and positive people during each residency, it really makes passing each milestone in the program more rewarding.

How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
I believe that the Ross curriculum is designed to expose the blind spots you have in certain aspects of business, so that you can affect them more confidently in the future. I also believe that I’m not simply being taught a set of finite topics but rather a framework that will allow me to navigate even the most uncertain of times. And when those blind spots occur and those uncertain times happen, I know I have a cohort and broader Ross community to lean on.

Anything else you’d like to add about your experience so far?
To anyone reading this who may be on the fence about applying or choosing Ross, do yourself a favor and attend a preview day! Interacting with current EMBAs and, perhaps more importantly, being able to experience the quality of the faculty firsthand, made my decision easy. My preview day was a half day well spent, and if you make the time, I’m confident you will leave feeling the same way.

Kayan Sidhwa

Hometown: Irvine, California
Current job: Senior director of pricing and revenue strategy, GFL Environmental, Inc.
Undergraduate school/major: University of California, Irvine, quantitative economics

What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far? 
In early 2022, our company began facing inflationary cost pressures that were causing margin compression. Despite having limited experience in this field, I was asked by the senior leadership team to take on a new role to spearhead the effort to recover these increased costs.  The challenge we faced immediately was determining how we would get the support of the field (300+ general managers, 500+ sales representatives) to support these customer-facing initiatives that could potentially result in increased churn or negative volume growth. 

We quickly assembled a team of strong managers and analysts to develop analytics, KPIs, and best-in-class practices and rolled out tools across the organization. We then went on the road across the United States and Canada for several months. We engaged the field, collecting feedback, and involving them continuously in the process while empowering them to make decisions for their local markets, resulting in them buying into the process and becoming major advocates of the program. Additionally, we showed them best-in-class practices and developed tools that enabled not only cost recovery but also identified margin expansion opportunities simultaneously. Ultimately, we were able to exceed the project goals and in less time than expected. 

This has been my greatest professional accomplishment since we were able to react so quickly, build up a change management program across such a large company, and drive significant value for our organization and shareholders.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross EMBA Program? 
While I was extremely happy and grateful for how rapidly my career was progressing, I felt I had been missing something that would take me to the next level in my career. I needed something that would help me gain a stronger business foundation, develop my leadership skills, improve my executive-level presence, and build a network of top-quality professionals from multiple industries. 

My father is a University of Michigan alum, and I chose to attend the Michigan Ross EMBA Program because it's where my dad, someone I deeply admire for his intelligence, hard work, and unwavering dedication, built the foundation for his success. Following in his footsteps at Michigan feels like an honor, and I hope to carry forward his legacy of excellence, determination, and resilience. 

What made the Ross EMBA Program stand out to you versus other programs?
While I did look initially at other prestigious programs around the country, the Ross EMBA Program was the only program I applied to. It is a leading program with a prestigious reputation, and I’ve had the pleasure of working with many Michigan alums who have always impressed me with their intelligence and level-headed approach. ExecMAP was particularly appealing, as it provides hands-on consulting experience with diverse organizations. Additionally, the program's focus on leadership development and the development of core business skills, combined with the top-notch professors and case-based learning, made it the ideal choice for me.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross? 
I am most looking forward to immersing myself in the Ross community, particularly through ExecMAP, which offers a unique opportunity to apply my skills in real life. I’m excited about building strong relationships and expanding my network with talented peers and alums, as well as the personalized support from an executive coach and career counseling services. I look forward to developing my leadership skills and gaining new perspectives that will help me grow both personally and professionally.

How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
Having started the program less than three months ago, I can already begin seeing its positive effects. The leadership assessment and executive coaching have already helped me become a stronger and more empathetic leader. Additionally, the professors, students, and course materials are engaging, and we are able to apply our learnings in our organizations in real time. I have already begun leveraging some of the materials and learnings from my finance and marketing classes to support my organization.

Anything else you'd like to add about your experience so far?
While the program is rigorous and introspective, I would like to make a special point about the program and administration being flexible and exceptionally supportive. Additionally, the professors and classmates are extremely supportive, and this program notoriously has a culture of building each other up and helping each other rather than competing against each other.

Ashley Stone 

Hometown: Seattle, Washington
Current job: Director of program management, Airbus Robotics
Undergraduate school/major: U.S. Coast Guard Academy, electrical engineering

What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far? 
My greatest professional achievement occurred while serving as the senior technical program manager for the Polar Star Service Life Extension Program. When I joined, the program was consistently over schedule and over budget, with both the team and the customer accepting this as normal. I quickly identified that a lack of clear communication and risk management were the main drivers of these issues. By implementing a robust communication plan, holding regular meetings, and developing a detailed risk mitigation strategy, I was able to increase accountability and transparency.

Through focused leadership, improved communication, and leveraging my technical expertise, I turned the program around. We delivered the next phase of the project one month early, much to the satisfaction of our customer. I take great pride in knowing that my efforts directly contributed to the program's success and the broader organizational goals.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross EMBA Program? 
I decided to pursue an EMBA at Michigan Ross because I am at a stage in my career where I want to enhance my leadership capabilities and broaden my understanding of business at a strategic level while continuing to work full-time. It offers the chance to immediately apply what I’m learning to real-world challenges in my current role, which accelerates my professional growth and the impact I can have on my organization. Additionally, the executive-level peer group provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with and learn from seasoned leaders across different industries, enriching my perspective.

What made the Ross EMBA Program stand out to you versus other programs?
What made the Ross EMBA Program stand out to me versus other programs was a combination of flexibility, location, and the strength of the network. As a parent with a young child, the once-a-month format was incredibly appealing. It offers the perfect balance of intensive learning while allowing me to maintain my family and work commitments without feeling overwhelmed by frequent travel within the same time zone at the LA location.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross? 
ExecMAP stands out as a unique hands-on learning experience. I’m eager to apply the skills and knowledge gained in the classroom to solve real-world business challenges. Collaborating with peers on high-impact projects will not only refine my problem-solving abilities but also give me exposure to diverse industries and perspectives, which I can immediately leverage in my career.
Equally important is the chance to expand my network. The caliber of professionals drawn to Ross is impressive, and I’m excited to build meaningful relationships with classmates, alums, and faculty. This network will be invaluable as I seek to share ideas, explore new opportunities, and push my leadership capabilities further. The Michigan Ross community is known for its collaborative spirit, and I look forward to being part of such an inspiring group.

How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
Pursuing my MBA at Michigan Ross will significantly enhance my ability to advance in my career by equipping me with the tools and vocabulary to effectively engage with all areas of the business. As I continue to grow in leadership, having a well-rounded understanding of the various functions — ranging from finance and marketing to operations and strategy —will be crucial for making informed decisions and driving organizational success. I believe that my MBA at Ross will empower me with the knowledge, confidence, and network to lead more effectively and make a greater impact in my career.

Anything else you'd like to add about your experience so far?
The first couple of months at Michigan Ross have definitely been a shock but in the best possible way. It’s been a whirlwind of rigorous learning, balancing coursework with professional responsibilities, and connecting with an incredible cohort. It's already been a memorable and rewarding experience, and I can see the value it's adding to my skill set.

One of the most impactful aspects so far has been gaining a solid understanding of the basics of financial statements. Having this foundational knowledge has already allowed me to engage more deeply with my company’s financials, providing greater insight into the financial health of the business and influencing more informed decision-making. It’s clear that this journey will continue to push me, but the growth is immediate and rewarding.