Seven Standout Michigan Ross MBAs Chosen for Ross Community Impact Scholarships

Those students — Larissa Almeida, MBA ’23; Zicheng Cui, MBA ’23; Stella Han, MBA ’23; Joi James, MBA ’23; Liz Krane, MBA ’23; John Pontillo, MBA/MS ’22; and Ziv Zohar, MBA ’23 — were selected based on their strong academic records and impact on the MBA community.

The Ross Community Impact Scholarship, based on merit and leadership, is one of many scholarship funding opportunities for MBA students. The scholarship recipients receive up to $10,000 in funding during their second year of the program.

Below, hear from five of the Ross Community Impact Scholarship recipients as they discuss what this scholarship means to them, their thoughts on leadership, what they’ve enjoyed most about their time at Michigan Ross, and the impact they’ve had on their programs and community.

John Pontillo, MBA/MS ’22

Hometown: Moorestown, NJ

Involvement in clubs and organizations: The Erb Institute, Erb Student Advisory Board, Michigan Climate Venture, Energy Club at Ross, Ross Soccer Club

Post-graduation career interest: ESG investment management

What does receiving the Ross Community Impact Scholarship mean to you?

It's a massive honor. To me, it's the most important award, and it's very humbling. I'm honored to have been able to play a role, alongside my peers, in creating an opportunity for students to have a space to learn about venture capital and cleantech through the Michigan Climate Venture.

Why did you choose to come to Michigan Ross, and what have you enjoyed most about the Ross Full-Time MBA Program?

I chose Michigan Ross because of the community and top-notch education. At both Ross and the Erb Institute for dual-degree students, I have found a community of individuals who seek to learn and support each other, and aim to tackle challenging, real-world issues through the power of business. Being a part of a major research university also confers enormous benefits related to academic exploration at Ross and throughout the university, as well as an unparalleled social experience, complete with top-notch extracurriculars and athletics.

How have you been able to develop your leadership skills while at Michigan Ross?

Being a co-founder of the Michigan Climate Venture allowed me to develop leadership skills as I helped create and stand up the venture fund, develop the programming, and recruit the inaugural class. The nature of the group work in the Ross core has helped me develop leadership skills, too. Finally, I am an incoming Erb Student Advisory Board co-president, which will offer me the honor and opportunity to further develop my leadership skills and support others working to realize their personal and professional goals.

How do you feel you have impacted the MBA/Ross community or your chosen field of study?

Co-founding the Michigan Climate Venture has opened doors for students in the Ross community (and beyond) to learn more about venture capital investment and clean tech. It has also led to students in other graduate studies departments across the university applying to and joining Ross. I'm proud to be part of a special group of students who have provided a platform for students to learn more about the intersection of business and climate change, and discover new passions and career pathways through MCV. 

How do you hope to continue making an impact at Ross and in business and society in your post-graduation career?

I hope to find ways to align decarbonization and financial benefit to orient business toward sustainable climate change mitigation that can improve well-being for all. I hope to inspire teams of individuals to join me on this journey.

Liz Krane, MBA ’23

Hometown: New York City

Involvement in clubs and organizations: Section leadership, Sanger Leadership Center, Tech Club, Healthcare & Life Sciences Club, Out for Business

Post-graduation career interest: Consulting / health tech

What does receiving the Ross Community Impact Scholarship mean to you?

In my application, I wrote about modeling inclusivity, positivity, and authenticity, and it is a tremendous honor that Ross felt that my doing so contributed in a meaningful way to the community.

Why did you choose to come to Michigan Ross and what have you enjoyed most about the Ross Full-Time MBA Program?

For me, what differentiated Ross the most was the people – and they have been my favorite part of the Ross FTMBA Program. I'd heard all about the supportive community from alumni before I applied, and while I believed this, I didn’t truly internalize it. When I got to campus though, my classmates’ genuine kindness and generosity were immediately apparent. From obvious big things like helping me understand a class concept, to seemingly small (but actually big) things like picking up my ticket for an event without hesitation, at Ross I have never lacked the help I needed.

How have you been able to develop your leadership skills while at Michigan Ross?

I came to Ross after a career in arts management, confident only in my project management skills. While at Ross, I’ve been able to build my confidence in other leadership areas by experimenting outside of my comfort zone and seeking constructive feedback (shout-out to the Sanger Leadership Center’s LDRx — Leader Experience).

How do you feel you have impacted the MBA/Ross community or your chosen field of study?

I hope that my dad jokes, GIFs, and general silliness made people smile during recruiting season. I also hope that I played at least a small part in helping my section feel supported, appreciated, and celebrated throughout the year. Love forever to Section 2!

How do you hope to continue making an impact at Ross and in business and society in your post-graduation career?

For my second year at Ross, I’ve taken on roles as a CDO peer coach and a LDRx co-chair so I can help perpetuate the environment I so greatly valued as a first-year student – it’s what makes Ross so special. I also plan to work with the MBA Council’s vice president of wellness on improving access to mental healthcare resources at Ross. After graduation, I hope I can make lasting, positive change in society by leveraging the skills I’m developing at Ross in the health tech space.

Larissa Almeida, MBA ’23

Hometown: Poco Fundo, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Involvement in clubs and organizations: Brazilian Student Association, Wolverine Venture Fund, Consulting and Auto & Mobility, Wine Club

Post-graduation career interest: Strategy consulting

What does receiving the Ross Community Impact Scholarship mean to you?

This scholarship recognizes people who demonstrate strong positive impact to the MBA community as well as strong academic achievement. Receiving it meant, to me, that I not only belonged to where I was, but that I was also succeeding in the MBA. When I found out that I was awarded this, I was on spring break with my fiancé, and I remember I started jumping and just repeating: I did it! I can do it!

Having a liberal arts background and going back to school after many years in the corporate environment, for sure the classes were a challenge to me. During the first term, while working with high-performing teams and struggling with the assignments, I faced impostor syndrome. My parents kept telling me that if I put effort into it, that with time, things would work out well. Some office hours later, and with the help of my colleagues, I could flourish to perform well academically, and most importantly, to give back to the Ross community.

Why did you choose to come to Michigan Ross, and what have you enjoyed most about the Ross Full-Time MBA Program?

I chose to come to Ross because of the people. When deciding which school to attend, I felt that moving to Ann Arbor and being supported by Rossers would be the best place for me, as I was moving by myself from Brazil. And this support is what I enjoyed the most. I have two examples that I like to share to illustrate this: First, when I arrived in Ann Arbor, a couple kindly hosted me in their house until my lease started. Second, an MBA2 helped me by doing mock interviews and preparing me for the selection process at my dream company (BCG), while his wife was also competing for that company. 

The Ross application prompt asks us to write about when “we were aware that we were different” or when “we made a difference.” I love to ask people what they answered in this question. And every time I listen to their responses, I fall in love again with Ross because we are different, but we all are similar in one way: We value diversity and community. 

How have you been able to develop your leadership skills while at Michigan Ross?

By 100% staying out of my comfort zone. I knew I wanted to develop skills and try experiences that I had not performed outside the MBA, but that would contribute to my performance when I went back to the corporate environment. To be able to deal with the uncertainty and to lead diverse teams that would know more than I do in certain topics. For instance, I joined the Auto & Mobility Club even though I had no prior experience in this industry, and I became the club co-president. Besides this, I joined a venture capital fund to experience what it’s like to work within the dynamic start up environment and I was the CEO at the Leadership Crisis Challenge competition. For these three challenges, I had butterflies in my stomach, and at first I felt that I was not ready for them, but I truly believe that if we have courage and dedication to try things, and humility to learn from each and everyone we meet in this process, the challenge will be worth it. And so far they have been.

How do you feel you have impacted the MBA/Ross community or your chosen field of study?

Even before arriving in the United States, I’ve impacted the Ross community by representing international students' concerns to the Full-Time MBA Program Office and MBA leadership. I had meetings with the school’s director of DEI, with the board of Internationals, and contacted the managing director. With our class composed of people from 43 countries around the world, international students are a relevant asset to our MBA program. I aimed to give voice to these people, mainly related to career and financial challenges, and share their culture as an events chair, with the agenda of promoting culture exchange experiences.

How do you hope to continue making an impact at Ross and in business and society in your post-graduation career?

• Continuing to promote a collaborative working environment, valuing the diversity of teams, and respecting and learning from different cultures
• Mentoring international students to succeed, both in their Ross and career application processes 
• Remaining as a Ross Ambassador and a point of contact for prospective students and MBA alumni network
• Contributing to funds and non-profit organizations that help minorities to access MBA and post-MBA career resources

Stella Han, MBA ’23

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Involvement in clubs and organizations: Asian American Business Association, DEI Committee, Board Fellows

Post-graduation career interest: Human resources

What does receiving the Ross Community Impact Scholarship mean to you?

Not going to lie, I cried when I received the news while on the phone with my dear friend and roommate, Joi James, who also received the scholarship. To me, it affirmed that taking risks, assuming responsibility, and driving change is terrifying and exhausting, but also completely worth it. It also restored my confidence and belief in myself and my abilities as a leader and community member at Ross. Being invested in doing the work at Ross is no easy feat with all of the demands of classes, recruiting, networking, social lives, and our individual needs. I had to be intentional about how I wanted to invest my time, which also came with sacrifices of other areas of my MBA experience. At the end of the day, we can't have it all, but I was passionate about the work that I was doing and it was gratifying to see change happen and people being positively impacted after putting in hard work, which is what personally matters to me.

Why did you choose to come to Michigan Ross and what have you enjoyed most about the Ross Full-Time MBA Program?

I came to Ross because of its strong human resources/human capital program, commitment to DEI, and down-to-earth and supportive culture. It's been incredible to grow closer with my Consortium community, as well as other peers that share my passion and values around DEI and helping others. On a personal level, I feel I have found people who I can feel like my full self around, that embrace me for who I am, and help me grow into a better version of myself. On a professional level, I am inspired to see so many of my peers take on leadership positions and do meaningful work within and outside of Ross, and learn and work together with them to drive change in business.

How have you been able to develop your leadership skills while at Michigan Ross?

Ross has given me so many opportunities to take ownership of leading initiatives and driving change at the school. I have been humbled by the support from Thomn Bell, director of DEI, and Soojin Kwon, former director of admissions, for advocating for the efforts I have led for the DEI Committee and Asian American Business Association. They have shown me the importance of asking for help and gaining buy-in to propel and catalyze the work needed to benefit the greater community. 

How do you feel you have impacted the MBA/Ross community or your chosen field of study?

Since the very beginning of my Ross/MBA journey, I have always been intent on driving diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at Ross. I joined the DEI committee and had the pleasure of working with Summer Abiad, MBA ’23; Stephen Brown, MBA ’23; and Nick Broady, MBA ’22; and Thomn Bell, to create a caucus for affinity groups to voice their needs and desires, build collaboration, and gain visibility with the Ross administration. Being in this role helped me to be a conduit for advocating and driving solutions for affinity groups by influencing and gaining support from administration and making it happen. 

I also joined the AABA’s Events Team with the hope of incorporating more events around community building and DEI amongst AAPIs and allies. I worked with my incredible team, Anna Lam MBA/MURP ‘23, Ayush Gupta MBA ‘22, Eric Chun MBA ‘23, and Brooke Wade MBA/MS ‘23, to plan events like East Meets West, a storytelling event spotlighting AAPI voices, as well as a self-defense workshop in partnership with Michigan Business Women and Human Capital Club to combat ongoing acts of violence toward minority groups. We were able to connect with and support a local Black-owned business, Close Quarters Combat Academy, and the event was a huge success with over 70 attendees and interest in sponsoring this event for upcoming academic years.

How do you hope to continue making an impact at Ross and in business and society in your post-graduation career?

I'm excited to continue driving DEI efforts at Ross through my continued involvement with the DEI committee and AABA. This upcoming year, I am excited to be leading planning efforts around Ross' Annual Diversity Week, which will be at the end of January during Winter A. I also look forward to serving as AABA's co-president with Eric Chun, and helping engage other AAPIs and the greater Ross community around our community and building allyship. As a future HR professional, I hope to continue driving DEI efforts within the HR space by driving business efforts that recruit, retain, and advance more diverse talent of all backgrounds.

Ziv Zohar, MBA ’23

Hometown: Savyon, Israel

Involvement in clubs and organizations: Armed Forces Association, Maize & Jew, Ross Student Ambassador, General Management Club, FinTech Club, Data Analytics Club, Energy Club

Post-graduation career interest: Tech / strategy

What does receiving the Ross Community Impact Scholarship mean to you?

It means that I've done something right during my MBA1 year. As someone pivoting from an extensive military career, it is very important for me to be able to contribute to a cause greater than myself, even when I'm not in uniform. Giving back and making others better is a clearly declared objective for the military in Israel (my home country), and is also a value that I truly believe in and try to carry with me wherever I go. Being selected for the scholarship makes me feel humbled and energized to do more. 

Why did you choose to come to Michigan Ross, and what have you enjoyed most about the Ross Full-Time MBA Program?

I chose to come to Ross because it's the greatest school on the planet. I wanted to attend a school that can offer a great overall two-year experience, and that's definitely what I've experienced so far. The fact that Ann Arbor isn't a huge metro city creates a culture that highlights a sense of community and togetherness; everything is a 10-minute car ride (or less) away, so all the students are basically neighbors. The town revolves around the university, creating an atmosphere that I love. I'm only halfway through, but already know that the friendships I've developed here are for life. It also doesn't hurt that Ross is a top-10 business school, the university is top-10 across the board for its graduate programs, and the alumni network is the largest in the country. And on top of that, the tech industry focus has really helped me optimize my recruiting efforts and land the summer internship I ranked No. 1.

How have you been able to develop your leadership skills while at Michigan Ross?

Despite having leadership experience stemming from my military background, Ross has definitely helped me understand how to adjust my skills to the business sector. I've learned what my transferable skills are, how to carry them over, and how to leverage my unique experience to stand out and succeed. Having the chance to work on projects with peers who have diverse backgrounds and personalities; MAP, specifically, gave me a tremendous platform to test myself and gain hands-on experience leading in such scenarios. Now, midway through my internship, I'm realizing how grateful I am to have had the chance to practice in the Ross incubator before starting the job.

How do you feel you have impacted the MBA/Ross community or your chosen field of study?

I feel that I was able to bring myself to the table, which means bringing my unique perspective and mindset. Coming from Israel and from a long military career means my background isn't prevalent at Ross, so I hope I was able to contribute by adding a different point of view. I live by the values of taking responsibility, putting others' needs ahead of my own, and always looking to improve, and believe I was able to showcase these and lead by example.

How do you hope to continue making an impact at Ross and in business and society in your post-graduation career?

 After school, I intend to get involved with organizations that pursue making good and giving back; I want to go through life knowing that I'm doing something for others. Specifically, I'm passionate about renewable energy and education and will seek to go into these spaces.

Learn more about Full-Time MBA Scholarships at Michigan Ross