Emerging Leaders: Meet the Michigan Ross Master of Management Class of 2024

The Michigan Ross MM Class of 2024 comprises 147 students, 53% of whom are women. The 2024 cohort hails from 11 countries and 29 undergraduate institutions and represents 51 different undergraduate majors. This new class also comes to Ross with a highly impressive academic record, entering the program with an average GPA of 3.68.

The 10-month degree program began in June, and from the start, MM students have already begun to embrace the signature action-based learning curriculum at Ross and are learning the skills they’ll need to stand out in a competitive job market and emerge as leaders.

Below, meet five members of the MM Class of 2024.

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Isabella Palde

Hometown  
Schwenksville, PA

Undergraduate school and major  
Cornell University, biology and society

What is your post-graduation career interest?  
I am interested in pursuing a career in venture capital or private equity, specifically at a firm that specializes in healthcare and life sciences. On the other hand, I also have an interest in operations and would enjoy implementing proper practices across an organization.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MM Program?   
In my undergraduate studies, I was on the pre-med track with aspirations of becoming a doctor. However, in addition to school, I found myself working at a venture capital firm called True Equity. During my time with them, I discovered a newfound interest in business. This inspired me to diverge from my initial plan and pursue a path where private equity financing intersects with my passion for science and healthcare. Thus, the MM program was a perfect fit for me as it provides the opportunity to obtain a strong foundation in business that I can combine with my previous background as a STEM major.

What made the Ross MM Program stand out to you versus other programs?  
Initially, the Ross reputation stood out to me as it is the No. 1 ranked MM program in the country. After learning more about the program, I realized its renowned world-class faculty can help me gain the necessary business knowledge and further develop my soft skills to succeed in today's competitive job market.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?  
Coming from a science major background, I was always enrolled in courses with large class sizes where I could never seem to connect with the professor and the majority of the students. The Michigan Ross MM Program has a strong focus on learning in a close-knit community. This culture is something I'm most looking forward to as I want to develop close relationships with my professors and classmates.

How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future?  
I am confident the Ross MM Program was the next critical step in my career path. This experience at Ross will enable me to achieve my career goals by strengthening my business knowledge, developing my leadership skills, and expanding my network.

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Christopher Wong

Hometown  
New York, NY

Undergraduate school and major  
University of Michigan, public policy

What is your post-graduation career interest?  
Management consulting

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MM Program?   
I decided to pursue an MM degree to develop a business vocabulary and learn the skills I need to manage an organization. I believe this program will not only help me learn different skills, but give me direction as I continue on with my career.

What made the Ross MM Program stand out to you versus other programs?  
Compared to similar programs, the MM stood out due to the breadth of courses and learning opportunities it offered. As someone with limited prior experience in the business world, I wanted to get high-level exposure to a variety of industries and professional functions.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?  
I am most looking forward to taking advantage of various resources at Ross, such as the Sanger Leadership Center’s Crisis Challenge, as well as getting to know my fellow classmates as the year continues!

How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future?  
My time at Michigan Ross will make me a more confident professional in whatever industry and job function I end up choosing. It will also give me a lifelong network of close friends that I hope to stay in touch with after graduation.

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Grace Harbaugh

Hometown  
Coronado, CA

Undergraduate school and major?  
University of Michigan, history of art major and completed the Michigan Ross Cappo Sales Track

What is your post-graduation career interest?  
While I'm excited to explore different career paths and opportunities, I am primarily interested in pursuing a career within the sports industry. During my undergrad, I was a student-athlete. I completed an internship with the Detroit Lions, which has made me passionate about athletics and how it can positively impact lives.

Why did you enroll in the Michigan Ross MM Program?   
I enrolled in the Ross MM Program to build my business knowledge and hone various skills that align with my future career goals.

What made the Ross MM Program stand out to you versus other programs?  
Since I completed my undergrad here at U-M, I have fallen in love with the community of Ann Arbor and the culture of Michigan. There is no other school and place like this in the world, and I am incredibly grateful to be a part of the Ross MM Program, which has endless opportunities and a community of students who make each other better every day.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?  
The resources, curriculum, networking opportunities, alumni network, and people are examples of things that drew me to Michigan Ross. I look forward to learning more about business, building my skill set, and being part of the community here at Ross.

How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future?  
Michigan has completely changed my life, and this experience at Ross will only continue to provide room to grow, develop, and learn.

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Lauren Bacal

Hometown   
Northville, MI

What was your undergraduate school and major?  
University of Michigan, biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience

What is your post-graduation career interest?  
Although I don't have concrete plans, I aspire to find a career that involves healthcare, leadership, and a strong sense of community. I love building relationships with others and sharing my voice, so I'm looking for a field with similar values.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MM Program?   
I enrolled in the MM program because as an undergraduate, I didn't recognize the extent to which the business world interconnects to every industry. As my undergraduate degree is focused in STEM, this degree will allow me to diversify and expand my skill sets through the business perspective. I strongly believe that the program will promote my interests and assist in narrowing to a specific career goal.

What made the Ross MM Program stand out to you versus other programs?  
The Michigan Ross MM Program has an array of students and professors from all walks of life. Each member of the community holds unimaginable feats in their interests, bringing the phrase "leaders and best" to the front stage in the program. With resources from fellow leaders, an expansive alumni network, and career development opportunities, the Ross MM Program is truly the best in the world.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?  
I am most looking forward to forming connections with my professors and cohort. Based on my time in the program so far, all of my classmates are extremely open to building relationships and the professors are looking out for your success. I hope to meet as many people as I can in the Ross community while learning from them and forming longtime relationships!

How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future?  
I think my experience at Ross will impact my future by demonstrating who I am as a person. Through my time in the program, I hope to learn my strengths and values in the workplace and as a leader in the community. Once I attain a better understanding of this, I will have the chance to execute my full potential as a member of the business and Ross community. I believe that I will always have a small part of Ross with me, no matter the career I choose.

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Dipro Prattoy

Hometown  
Chittagong, Bangladesh

Undergraduate school and major  
University of Michigan, computer science and engineering

What is your post-graduation career interest?  
Product management in tech/business/consulting

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MM Program?   
I personally believe that in today's world, the combination of tech and business creates a massive impact toward a sustainable, profitable world. After my computer science undergrad, I felt that this 10-month MM program would equip me with all the necessary business skills required to thrive in a professional setting, as well as give me the opportunity to utilize my tech skills in conjunction with the dynamics of business. As the founder and CEO of an ed-tech startup, DP Tutorials, I was excited to find out-of-classroom opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs like myself, such as the Zell Lurie Institute’s Michigan Business Challenge.

What made the Ross MM Program stand out to you versus other programs?  
Getting a master’s degree in 10 months was definitely not the only reason to join this MM program. Prior to joining, I contacted at least 50 Michigan Ross alumni through LinkedIn and all of them had amazing things to say about the professors, fun events, and all the networking that takes place here. Furthermore, as an undergraduate Wolverine who finished undergrad in less than three years, it was a no-brainer for me to spend some more time in the community I call my second home.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?  
Building an amazing network, especially with aspiring product managers and consultants. I am also looking forward to using resources like RossRecruit to land my dream role as a product manager. Lastly, I wish to end my academic journey on a good note and make some amazing friends in this cohort.

How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future?  
Forever carrying the Ross tag alongside all the global alumni is in itself a matter of pride and honor. I am not just getting a master’s degree, but also opening up 56,000+ connections around the world in all the industries I can think of. As an international student from Bangladesh, Ross was a dream. I can't wait to put my theories into practice and build some amazing products for the betterment of mankind.

learn more about the mm program