Preparing for What’s Next: Meet the Michigan Ross Executive MBA Class of 2025
This year, 116 experienced leaders joined the Executive MBA Program at the Ross School of Business locations in Ann Arbor and Los Angeles.
Members of the Michigan Ross EMBA Class of 2025 hail from 22 states and nine countries. Their average 15 years of full-time work experience — with an average nine years of supervisory experience — spans more than 30 different industries, including healthcare, tech, financial services, and government/military. Students of color represent 43% of the class and 41% of the class has already earned at least one advanced degree.
The 21-month program began in August, and EMBA students are already learning the skills and general leadership principles they’ll need for today’s ever-changing business environment.
To learn more about the cohort, meet three members of the new Michigan Ross Executive MBA class below.
Erika Palomino
Name: Erika Palomino
Hometown: Born in Peru, currently reside in Fort Collins, CO
Current job: Senior product manager, Emerson
Undergraduate school/major: University of Houston, Spanish linguistics
What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far?
Some years back, I founded an LGBTQ employee resource group at work in the hopes of being able to connect with more LGBTQ professionals across the company and build a sense of community. The group grew internationally and now has dozens of chapters around the globe with hundreds of members. Somehow in my quest to feel less lonely at work, I touched people's lives and they inspired me to keep finding other opportunities where I could make things better.
Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross EMBA Program?
As I researched MBA programs with flexible schedules that had an in-person component, I found that the Michigan Ross program answered my personal calling in life — to leave the world a better place than how I found it. When I read the Michigan Ross mission statement, I knew I had found where I belong.
What made the Ross EMBA Program stand out to you versus other programs?
The Ross EMBA curriculum immediately stood out to me. I wanted to find the absolute best place that would help me achieve my goals in life of decarbonizing the manufacturing industry. When I saw the commitment to leadership development and how this framework was ingrained throughout the program, I knew I had found something special. Then I read the class description for EMBA 612: Leading the Responsible Corporation, and it felt like the clouds had parted and I was seeing clearly that this school's commitment to their positive and impactful vision of the future aligned with mine. It was something rare and I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I don't think I can narrow down my excitement to only one thing. For years I've been dying to take a finance class — I'm a numbers gal — but I'm also here to build lifelong friendships. I can't wait to get to pick an ExecMAP project (hopefully with a focus on sustainability) so I can get my hands dirty and apply the knowledge I've learned. But most of all, I'm looking forward to wearing my cap and gown on graduation day and dedicating this degree to all the sacrifices my parents made to get us to the United States and to my spouse who has been my rock throughout this entire process.
How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
I would say the help has already started! During orientation week, a professor told us that there is no right or wrong answer in business, only a best answer, and the best answer is the most compelling one. As soon as he said that, I knew what I would have to do back at work for a particularly difficult challenge I encountered right before I flew to Ann Arbor. The MBA at Ross will make me a better leader, I have no doubt of that, and I'm ready to have my biases challenged.
Anything else you'd like to add about your experience so far?
Professor M.P. Narayanan is (in my eyes) a total boss. His capability to disseminate financial concepts in an engaging and fun way (he's got a great sense of humor) is quite a unique skill. Then the Case Method Workshop with Professor John Branch was another jewel - the fact that he taught us how to review business cases and managed to quote Scooby Doo at the same time was just priceless to me. Haven't had this much fun in years and I can't wait for the first residence to start.
Daniel Roberts
Name: Daniel C. Roberts
Hometown: Lives in Washington, D.C. grew up in Moss Point, MS,
Current job: Head of communications, BrightDrop (start-up by General Motors)
Undergraduate school/major: University of Mississippi, public policy
What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far?
There are many professional moments I’m proud of, like balancing a full-time role in the U.S. Congress during college, issuing President Obama’s official veto threats at the White House, and building a communications team from scratch for GM’s leading commercial EV brand. However, one that stands out most is grasping the concept of “disagree and commit” during my time at Facebook. This taught me to always voice my opinion, but know that there are times to compromise.
Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross EMBA Program?
After participating in the week-long Ross Executive Education program focused on positive leadership, I knew this was the place for me. Learning how the Michigan Model of Leadership helps students discover their gaps and how to fill them was just what I needed. I knew I could benefit from more than a week-long immersion and started the application just a few weeks later.
What made the Ross EMBA Program stand out to you versus other programs?
The clear focus on developing leaders really stood out. You not only learn how to run a business, but how to inspire and motivate a team based on their needs. Also, since I travel frequently for work, the option to attend courses with the LA cohort if I had a conflict gave me peace of mind.
What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I’m most looking forward to applying the problem solving and critical thinking tools in real time to the problems I face daily. I also can’t wait to get to know my cohort more and learn about the various industries they work in.
How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
As a communications leader, I’ve refined the soft skills of distilling complex topics into digestible stories. The MBA will deepen my business knowledge and help me better understand core organizational concepts around profit, earnings, revenue, and more. This will better inform my storytelling and help me influence business decisions – rather than just react to them.
Anything else you'd like to add about your experience so far?
The level of support from the program’s staff is unmatched. It’s clear that they understand how much we’re juggling as leaders, and they go above and beyond to help us manage the competing priorities. From detailed schedules to timely reminders, they help us stay on track as we navigate this exciting yet challenging road ahead.
Min-Chun Tsai
Name: Min-Chun Tsai
Hometown: Sydney, NSW Australia
Current job: Application support, eHealth NSW Health
Undergraduate school/major: University of Sydney, medical science
What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far?
Partnership in operating a pharmacy for over five years and pivoting to health IT with my constant interest and passion for technology.
Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross EMBA Program?
I want to break out of my comfort zone and seek to expand my network beyond my current field and location. I also want to continue to learn, explore, and refine my leadership presence and skills.
What made the Ross EMBA Program stand out to you versus other programs?
The personal engagement from Ross EMBA's admissions team stood out strongly over other programs along with the large and diverse network it carries. The personal experience from Ross EMBA has continued on through the interview process and orientation week.
What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
The connection with the cohort and network at Ross. Being able to learn from others as well as contribute my own knowledge to empower my peers.
How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
The continuous leadership and development sessions at Ross, along with its core curriculum, are definitely a winner in structuring its EMBA course. It promotes a growth mindset and empowerment for myself and my peers not just academically, but holistically. An MBA at Ross teaches us lifelong skills, no matter which stage in life we are in. Ross also pushes me to branch out of my current network and comfort zone.
Anything else you'd like to add about your experience so far?
The experience so far has made me feel very at ease, given I will have to balance this along with my cross-Pacific travels, full-time work, and personal life. It is a combined feeling of being at ease as well as amped to partake in the program and see where it leads me. The diversity of the cohort has been extremely impressive and I cannot have asked for a better place to do an EMBA.
