Meet the 2024 Alumni Award Recipients

Alums can win one of three awards: the David D. Alger Alumni Achievement Award, the Bert F. Wertman Alumni Service Award, and the Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Alumni Award. Alums are nominated by their peers for these honors, and winners are selected every fall.

This year, André Branch, MBA ’99, Tamika Curry Smith, BBA ’95, and Robert Larios, MBA ’14, were honored with alumni awards for their impressive work and service to the university. They were celebrated at a ceremony in Robertson Auditorium with remarks from Sharon F.  Matusik, Edward J. Frey Dean of Business.

David D. Alger Alumni Achievement Award

The David D. Alger Alumni Achievement Award was established in 1989 and recognizes an alum of the business school whose accomplishments benefit their fellow citizens and have brought distinction to themselves and the school. The award is named for previous Alumni Achievement Award winner David D. Alger, MBA ’68, who lost his life during the events of Sept. 11, 2001. 

André Branch, MBA ’99, is the recipient of the 2024 David D. Alger Alumni Achievement Award for his outstanding work at the Estée Lauder Companies Inc. As the senior vice president and general manager for MAC North America at the Estée Lauder Companies, Branch has utilized his strong marketing background and management expertise to build on the brand’s reputation, continuing to cement its place as one of the top players in prestige makeup.

“Receiving the award was such an honor. It was humbling, actually, to be recognized by such an esteemed institution, with the legacy of all the alumni who have come before me,” Branch said. “It also kind of raises the bar, and I want to make sure that I continue to live up to that expectation in the future. For me, this is the beginning of a new journey to make sure that I take all those principles and the value and the meaning of that award to the next level as I go forward.”

In addition to his career achievements, Branch has remained involved with Michigan Ross, volunteering his time at events like the Sanger Leadership Crisis Challenge and sharing his story and expertise with the community. 

The Bert F. Wertman Alumni Service Award

The Bert F. Wertman Alumni Service Award, established in 1989, honors an alum for outstanding service to the university. The award is named for Bert F. Wertman, MBA ’28, who served for more than 60 years as president of the Class of 1928.

Tamika Curry Smith, BBA ’95, is the recipient of the 2024 Bert F. Wertman Alumni Service Award for her dedication and service to Michigan Ross, volunteering her time over the years to serve on the Alumni Board of Governors, the Dean’s Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the advisory board for the Sanger Leadership Center, and much more. 

Curry Smith is currently the senior vice president and chief DEI officer at Arm. As a global business executive with expertise in human resources, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), and DEI, she has also held senior leadership roles at Nike, Inc., Mercedes-Benz USA, Target Corp., and Deloitte.

“For me, winning this award is such an honor. I am a first-generation college graduate who grew up in Detroit. Going to college at U-M was literally a dream of mine, and when that dream came true, it was unbelievable. Now, to be recognized by that very school really takes my dream to the next level,” Curry Smith said.

Throughout her career, Curry Smith has also received various other awards, including Savoy Magazine's Most Influential Executives in Corporate America, Diversity Woman's Elite 100, the Network Journal’s 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business, Diversity MBA's Top 100 Executive Leaders, and AZ Business Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Women in Arizona Business.

Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Alumni Award 

The Graduate of the Last Decade, or G.O.L.D. Award is the newest addition to the Alumni Awards and was created in 2020. This award honors a recent alum who has enhanced the reputation of Ross through their outstanding professional achievements or continued engagement and service to the Michigan Ross community.

Robert Larios, MBA ’14, is the recipient of the 2024 G.O.L.D. Alumni Award for his work as the president and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles City Employees Association, Inc. and the Employees Club of California. Throughout his career, Larios has held a steadfast commitment to honoring and celebrating the public service employees he serves. As an Executive MBA alum, he has continued to uphold that mission and aims to inspire others to do the same. He is currently writing a book about life lessons learned on his journey from student to CEO as a first-generation immigrant.

“The significance of the G.O.L.D. Award is incredibly meaningful to me. It's a validation of all my hard work and dedication. This achievement is a tribute to my family, the Ross community, and my colleagues, who have supported me every step of the way. Ross is truly a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of who they are or where they come from, as long as they share the same values. Here, I find support, encouragement, and empowerment to make a positive impact on society. Ross stands beside me as I strive to bring a little more light to the world.”

Nominate Someone for the 2025 Alumni Awards

If you know a Michigan Ross alum who has made an extraordinary impact in their career or service to Michigan Ross, you can nominate them for the 2025 Alumni Awards, which will be selected next fall. The deadline to submit a nomination is July 1, 2025.

submit a nomination