Michigan Ross Hosts Second Annual Summit on Private Equity and Alternative Investments

A Room Alive with Wolverine Pride

An unmistakable energy filled the air during the afternoon event. Attendees came together not just to learn, but to witness firsthand the collective strength of the Michigan Ross community. As Joshua Cascade, Michigan Ross faculty and private equity investor, reflected:  

“The Private Equity Council has brought so much,” he said about the alumni-driven PE leadership group, which helped to identify and recruit speakers for the event. “To have so many private equity leaders together at one event is very special. You could look around the room in NYC and feel the energy. Ross produces the true Leaders and Best in PE, and events like this show our collective strength.”

Talent and Leadership: Building Winning Teams

The first summit panel, moderated by Ross PE Council member Susanna Nichols, MBA '88 (Amity Search Partners), focused on the art and science of attracting, developing, and cultivating exceptional private equity talent. Panelists Ian Sandler (Insight Partners), Mike Barger (Michigan Ross), and Tracey Byrne (Apollo) examined the qualities that drive resilience and performance—and how the Ross network is a prime source of that talent.

Transforming the Industry: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence

A short break was followed by a high-powered conversation on artificial intelligence, moderated by Ross PE Council Member Uday Ahuja, BBA '06 (RSE Ventures), and featuring Dan Feder (University of Michigan), Jaclyn Rice Nelson (Tribe AI), and Amrit Saxena (Saxecap). The discussion highlighted the cutting edge of technology adoption in private equity, from scouting investments to optimizing portfolio management—once again spotlighting Ross’s innovative stature and alumni leadership.

Keynote: Charting Vision and Growth

Next, the event hit another high mark as Bryan Marsal (Alvarez & Marsal) and Navid Mahmoodzadegan (Moelis & Company) shared the keynote stage, with Edward J. Frey Dean of Business Sharon F. Matusik moderating. Their conversation covered the fundamental shifts in the private equity landscape, the leadership traits needed for tomorrow, and the reasons that Michigan Ross alumni are shapers—not just participants—of those trends.

A Network Born for Success

The summit wrapped with a reception overlooking the Manhattan skyline. As participants and speakers reflected on the day, one thing became clear: The PE community out of Ross is a force to be reckoned with. As Cascade put it:  

“Ross has a huge number of senior leaders in PE. It really is remarkable. We share a real sense of pride in our U of M roots, and everyone in that room was feeding on it.”

Cascade also highlighted the pride that Michigan Ross has for its alumni: 

We are so proud of our alumni. Look at what they’ve done—and we are feeding and seeding the next generation of leaders in this space.

PE Education at Ross — Fostering Tomorrow’s Leaders
 

While the summit spotlighted Ross’s presence in New York City, the school’s momentum genuinely begins back in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Center for Venture Capital and Private Equity Finance, part of the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurship at Ross, is a national model, with unique programs that give students at Ross and across the university a notable edge. 

The Diag Growth Private Investment Fund, led by Cascade, is one of the most sought-after classes at Ross, immersing select students in the world of private investing and deal-making with top professionals. It also represents the nation’s first undergraduate-run private equity fund, in which students are entrusted with real capital to buy tangible assets. 

While the traditional PE career path typically entails two years in investment banking before moving to PE, a trend is gaining momentum for new grads to go directly into PE.

From Apollo to TowerBrook, Michigan Ross alumni are everywhere—a sign of both the strength of the network and the ever-increasing demand for Ross graduates specializing in PE.

Events like the PE Summit are emblematic of the thriving, innovative, and supportive community that Michigan Ross and the University of Michigan have fostered. For private equity expertise, career growth, industry leadership, or a platform to spark new ideas, leaders worldwide are increasingly looking to Michigan Ross. 

“With our second annual summit, our Michigan Ross community explored cutting-edge insights on topics ranging from leadership to how AI is impacting PE opportunities, setting the standard for thought leadership and action in the private equity and alternative investment space,” Dean Matusik said. 

I am always honored to moderate at the Summit, as it reminds me of how accomplished and forward-thinking our alumni are in this very consequential field.