News, Notes, and Nods: Graduates
1983
Chris Williams ’82, MBA’83 writes that he and a group of fellow alumni hit the links during their annual reunion in Delray Beach, Florida. Read more under 1982 in Undergraduates news.
1993
Ruthie Davis MBA’93 recently released on her website a limited-edition line of designer sneakers that she created with members of the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSEM). Davis, who began selling her signature brand of apparel and footwear in 2006, has worked with Disney, Swarovski, and Universal Studios. Top celebrities such as Beyoncé and Lady Gaga have worn her shoes. But, Davis wrote, collaborating with more than 20 young members of BGCSEM to design and produce sneakers inspired by the concept of “One People” was a deeply meaningful experience. “It’s more about doing and learning and sharing than it is about brand building,” Davis said. Detroit-based fashion label Deviate also worked on designing the brightly colored kicks. All sales of the sneakers benefit BGCSEM.
2009
Milka Milliance MBA’09 (left) recently co-founded Different, a Black, Asian, queer, women, and non-binary-owned diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting company. Milliance and her business partners, Grace Yi (center) and Alex Suggs (right), believe that in order for diversity, equity, and inclusion to be truly transformative, structural systemic solutions must be paired with a shift in mindsets and change in behaviors at all levels of an organization.
2010
Alice Palmer MBA’10 was hired as chief marketing officer of Neustar Security Services, a company that provides cloud-oriented security services for global businesses. Palmer took the position in October. Palmer, the Class of 2010 valedictorian, brings more than 20 years of marketing experience at both public and private organizations to the leadership role. “With her broad, global perspective and data-driven marketing savvy in the B2B tech space, Alice brings a unique skillset to her role as chief marketing officer,” said Colin Doherty, CEO of Neustar Security Services. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the leadership team.”
2011
JoAnne Artesani MBA’11 launched Sproutr Inc., a consulting company meant to help new insurance firms in their early stages. Artesani is the founder and CEO of the company, which supports startup, early venture, and growth-stage insurance-focused organizations during their build-out phase.
2013
Kaine Nicholas MBA’13 was recently named interim CFO for YWCA USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Nicholas is responsible for the strategic leadership of the finance, accounting, and internal administrative functions and provides financial strategy, budget management, and forecasting needs to YWCA’s leadership.
2015
Michelle Johnson MBA’15 was appointed CEO of Metrum RG, a global leader in biomedical modeling and simulation solutions. Johnson was previously COO, providing strategic business direction and instrumental in building and leading a high-performance business team. She took the role in October. “I was drawn to Metrum RG because of the mission of defeating disease, and I am committed to ensuring this continues to be our compass,” Johnson said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to empower my teammates to bring their expertise, insight, and innovation to all we do.”
2017
Gustavo Mayen MBA’17 was invited to be part of the teaching team at Harvard Law School’s Fall Trial Advocacy Workshop for the second year in a row. The workshop is an intensive course in trial analysis, skills, and techniques taught in three weeks.
2019
Srikanth Katikala MBA’19 and Jennifer Widjaja MBA’19 co-founded a social enterprise company in Singapore that helps reduce food waste, redistributing unsold surplus food by connecting consumers and eateries. The classmates started their business, JustDabao.com, in 2020 as most consumers were staying home due to COVID-19. As a result, the food and beverage industry struggled and threw away edible, unsold food daily. “Eventually, I married my co-founder,” Katikala said of his bride, Widjaja. “Now, we are husband and wife, running a startup together in Singapore, and we’ve raised over $500,000.”
2022
Acheampong “Nicholas” Johnson MS’22 participated in the Ellen Solomita Day of Service in honor of Ellen Solomita ’22. Read more under 1988 in Undergraduates news.
MORE NEWS, NOTES, AND NODS FROM THE SPRING 2023 ISSUE:
Undergraduates » In Memoriam »
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