Social Impact

Justin Golden, BBA ‘02, has partnered with several other U-M alumni to start Greatwater Opportunity Capital , a real estate private equity investment management and development firm focused on providing housing in Detroit’s neighborhoods.

Ross professor Achyuta Adhvaryu's research and work with the Good Business Lab has now found its place with the William Davidson Institute’s consulting services, in the newly formed Labor Practices group.

Michigan Ross welcomed New York Times best-selling author and impact investing pioneer Jacqueline Novogratz as the 2020 Joseph and Sally Handleman Lecture Series speaker on Sept. 8.

Staple Clothing— a company founded by Gregory Cervenak, BBA ’20, and Connor Flanigan, BSE ’22 and business minor — recently donated 250 face masks to Peru, a country with one of the highest COVID-19 death rates.

This summer, the Business+Impact initiative was able to provide extra funding for social impact-related internships for Ross students at government and organizations across the country.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Blueprints for Pangaea, founded by Ben Rathi, BBA ’17, coordinated a donation of around 700 plastic face shields to four health and family services centers across Washtenaw County in Michigan.

It’s been a challenging few months for lil’gourmets , a company founded by Shibani Baluja, MBA ’04, that provides nourishing, global, and organic veggie meals and snacks for young eaters. Fortunately, her retail expansion plans and impact work have continued.

Jake McCurry, BBA ’21, spearheaded The Uniform Funding Foundation’s donation day on July 19, when uniforms and equipment were donated to 150 athletes on four youth sports teams in Cleveland.

Jonae Maxey, BBA ’21, is seeking to revitalize inner-city communities within Detroit through her real estate business.

Powered by BackPac, a virtual volunteering app founded by three Michigan Ross, more than 40 Ross alumni from Southeast Michigan participated in contactless and virtual activities with local nonprofits to spread positivity in challenging times.

In response to the tragic deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, three MBA students who are part of the Consortium at Michigan Ross are spearheading a fundraiser to educate and raise $100,000 to fight racial injustice.