Leading the Way: Meet the Michigan Ross Master of Management Class of 2025

The Michigan Ross MM Class of 2025 is comprised of 121 students hailing from 32 undergraduate institutions across four countries. Fifty-seven percent of the class are women, and the students represent 51 different undergraduate major backgrounds. The new class also comes to Ross with an impressive academic record, starting the program with an incoming GPA of 3.65.

The 10-month program, which is open to recently graduated students with non-business backgrounds, is already helping the cohort build a strong business foundation. Before the fall term, students will already have completed intensive workshops introducing them to core business areas and concepts, like microeconomics, business statistics, and analytics.

Below, meet four members of the MM Class of 2025.

Gigi Kalabat, MM ’25

Hometown

Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Undergraduate school and major

Attended the University of Michigan, majoring in art and design.

What is your post-graduation career interest?  

I am interested in pursuing marketing opportunities within the cosmetic or fashion industry.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MM Program?

I decided to enroll in the Ross MM Program because after completing the business minor during my undergrad, I realized my passion for business and wanted to deepen my marketing knowledge while gaining a more comprehensive skill set. The Ross MM Program stood out to me because of its collaborative and inclusive approach to learning and its reputation for academic excellence. 

What strengths/unique perspectives do you bring to your cohort?

Coming from an art and design background, coupled with my experience in the fashion industry, I bring a unique blend of creativity and practical industry knowledge to our cohort. Additionally, my understanding of aesthetics and design thinking can offer valuable insights into branding, product development, and customer experience.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?  

I am most looking forward to the networking opportunities, social events, alumni network, and getting to know my classmates on a personal level. I am also excited to take advantage of all of the unique opportunities Ross has to offer, such as the 24-hour Sanger Leadership Crisis Challenge. 

How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future?  

My experience at Ross will better equip me with the necessary skills to excel in my future career and give me colleagues that I will hopefully have for the rest of my life. U-M has already heavily impacted my life for the better, and I hope that the MM Program will continue to keep me on the right path. 

Gregory Tarr, MM ’25

Hometown

Romeo, Michigan

Undergraduate school and major

Attended the University of Michigan, majoring in sports management with a minor in business administration.

What is your post-graduation career interest?  

I am interested in pursuing a career in wealth management or private equity. 

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MM Program?

The two main reasons that I knew I wanted to be in the program were the people and the faculty. I wanted to surround myself with the best and brightest in their respective fields, learn as much as I could from them, and forge lasting relationships.

What strengths/unique perspectives do you bring to your cohort?

Being a part of the football team here at Michigan for the past four years has taught me so much about how to work as an effective team, along with how we all have a different skill set and the greatest teams, or cohorts in this case, are the ones that play into each other's strengths. Along with playing football, I have worked at a wealth management firm for the past four years. While working there, I created a financial literacy program for student-athletes here at Michigan. This experience helped me cultivate my passion for teaching and helping others reach their goals. 

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?

I am excited to be immersed in the culture at Michigan Ross. I'm looking forward to being part of a community that pushes everyone to be the best version of themselves. I’m also excited to meet individuals with vastly different backgrounds and stories. I believe it's the people that make a place, and there is no place with better people than Ross. 

How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future? 

I believe this program will provide a foundation for me that will enable me to accomplish any personal or business goals that I have in the future. I am confident that Ross will teach my classmates and me so many lessons both inside and outside of the classroom. 

Ella Hechlik, MM ’25

Hometown

Sarasota, Florida

Undergraduate school and major

Attended Florida State University, majoring in media and communication studies.

What is your post-graduation career interest?  

My post-graduation career interests are broad. I see myself stepping into a leadership role where I can use my organizational and management skills. I enjoy working with people, planning strategically, and creating efficient processes. I’m passionate about motivating teams and helping both the organization and its people grow. I am looking forward to opportunities where I can make a meaningful impact by achieving goals and driving success through strategic planning and openness within a company.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MM Program?

While researching different master’s programs, I found that Michigan Ross is one of the few schools that offers non-business majors the opportunity to pivot and acquire new skills later in their educational careers. With a background in media studies, I felt that Michigan Ross uniquely provided the chance to explore various areas of interest within a business context, an opportunity I couldn’t find elsewhere.

What strengths/unique perspectives do you bring to your cohort?

With a background in leadership and media studies from FSU, I am excited to integrate my undergraduate education with the knowledge gained at Ross. My unique perspective stems from my background in media communication, physiological research, and organizational management. These previous roles allow me to approach business challenges with a holistic view and an ability to implement new or thought-provoking ideas from my previous research and learning.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?  

I am most looking forward to the social experiences and extensive networking opportunities at Ross. The cohort structure allows us to spend a lot of time together, which has already been beneficial. Seeing familiar faces from orientation in class and learning about my classmates’ diverse backgrounds and accomplishments has been personally motivating and exciting.

How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future?  

I believe Ross takes the responsibility of preparing young adults for the business world very seriously, especially for those of us entering it for the first time. With resources like the Career Development Office and CAPS that are introduced during orientation week, students receive constant support and encouragement. This allows us to explore our full potential and work towards achievable goals each day.

Lily Parzych, MM ’25

Hometown

Milton, Georgia

Undergraduate school and major

Attended the University of Michigan - School of Information, majoring in information analysis.

What is your post-graduation career interest?  

I’m looking to combine my strategic problem-solving skills with my passion for innovation and creativity. I’m interested in marketing, brand, and operations, with a focus on project management and analyst roles. My main interest is finding a company that will invest in and support my professional development and grow my skill set.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MM Program?

My undergraduate degree gave me a great foundation for preparing, exploring, and analyzing complex datasets, but I lacked the business knowledge to execute solutions confidently. The Ross MM Program was designed to expand my business capabilities and enhance my leadership skills to complement my undergraduate degree, preparing me for a successful career.    

What strengths/unique perspectives do you bring to your cohort?

My degree in information science has developed my perspective on problem solving to approach challenges from an objective, data-based lens and informed how I understand and synthesize information. In addition to my analytical background, my strengths center around collaboration and community building, with my ability to develop meaningful relationships with my peers through my natural curiosity to learn about their perspectives and experiences. 

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?  

It may sound simple, but I’m looking forward to taking different types of classes. I have been in programming-based courses for the past two years and large lectures for the past four years, so I am looking forward to learning new subjects in a smaller class environment (with amazing professors).

How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future?  

Ross does an amazing job at creating programs that truly address what its students need, from how classes are scheduled to incorporating career development activities to prepare you for the real world. This experience will help me be prepared and confident for my future career, along with providing access to an enthusiastic alumni network that consists of leaders in every industry.