Innovative International Leaders: Meet the Global MBA Class of 2025

The Global MBA Class of 2025 at the Ross School of Business may be a small cohort, but it has many unique and diverse perspectives. The 21 students hail from eight countries, including India, Indonesia, Japan, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States. The class is 43% women.

The cohort’s career paths represent 20 different industries, including healthcare, finance, and technology. The Class of 2025 has an average of nine years of work experience and an average age of 32. Twenty-four percent of the class were also sponsored by employers to come to Michigan Ross for a comprehensive, global educational experience.

As the Class of 2025 ramps up to take on global business challenges, accelerate their leadership potential, study abroad, and much more, we asked five members of the newest GMBA cohort to share their perspectives on the program and why they chose Michigan Ross.

Prawonprat Supasajayanakul, MBA ’25

Hometown
I was born and grew up in Bangkok, Thailand, the land of smiles!

What is your post-graduation career interest or goal?
I will be working in consulting/tech.

Why are you pursuing your MBA, and what made you choose Michigan Ross?
With nearly six years of diverse experience in petroleum engineering, data analysis, and project management, I've played a pivotal role in enhancing e-commerce platforms through technology adoption, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. My focus has been on simplicity, immediacy, and hyper-personalization.

A Ross MBA is ideal for closing skill gaps in leadership, business strategy, and data and business analytics. Multidisciplinary Action Projects will provide hands-on experience in solving real-world business problems. After graduation, I will leverage the insights and skills gained from the Ross GMBA to contribute significantly to advancing Thailand's e-commerce and all customer touchpoints.

What are you most looking forward to while at Michigan Ross?
I'm very excited about my new journey in the United States. Meeting international students, participating in various professional clubs and classes, and networking with people worldwide will be interesting. Experiencing snowboarding and surviving in Ann Arbor's -20°C temperatures during winter will be exceptional for me, as I come from a hot country, Thailand, which has three seasons: hot, hotter, and hottest!

Within the Ross community, I hope to engage with and learn from diverse cultures. It's a great opportunity to exchange ideas, broaden my perspectives, and build meaningful connections in this environment.

What has been your first impression of Michigan Ross?
Ann Arbor is a small and lovely city where the University of Michigan community is close-knit. The students, not only in my class but throughout the campus, are incredibly friendly and supportive. Because everyone comes from diverse backgrounds, I have the opportunity to engage in discussions and learn about various business ideas and perspectives that are unique and invaluable — something you cannot find anywhere else!

Olivia F. Gresham, MBA ’25

Hometown
Benton Harbor, Mich.

What is your post-graduation career interest or goal?
My post-graduation career goal is to expand my business beyond the United States, touching countries in Africa and Asia.

Why are you pursuing your MBA, and what made you choose Michigan Ross?
I am pursuing my MBA because while I know how to design and code applications, I have little to no knowledge of the business steps that come before and after an application is launched. For 20+ years, I've designed applications for other organizations, but now I wish to launch my own. I chose the Michigan Ross GMBA Program because of the MAP experience, the small cohort, the case study approach, and the group projects during class, where I can learn the various points of view of my classmates. I considered these particular details to be invaluable.

What are you most looking forward to while at Michigan Ross?
I look forward to getting to know my cohort and learning the various cultural differences between our respective countries, as well as witnessing that firsthand in the business sector when I study abroad in the final semester.

What has been your first impression of Michigan Ross?
“Whoa.” That was my first impression. The building itself, walking into the Winter Garden and having this sense that all this room is for you to grow into. I also want to note the diversity: how differences are celebrated and what makes an MBA program worthwhile. I thought that I would feel isolated among my cohort, but I see some key similarities between us all that allow us to get along and plenty of differences that force me to make sure I hear what everyone is saying when we discuss cases. People bring views, thoughts, and ideas I wouldn't have thought of.

Bomi Kim, MBA ’25

Hometown
Seoul, Korea

What is your post-graduation career interest or goal?
So far, my experience has been focused solely on financial tasks like accounting and finance. However, post-graduation, I would like to shift toward strategic roles, such as reviewing mergers and acquisitions and developing long-term business plans. In the long term, my goal is to grow into a leader who can foster the growth of an organization and its team members.

Why are you pursuing your MBA, and what made you choose Michigan Ross?
The primary reason I pursued an MBA was the opportunity to meet people with diverse experiences and backgrounds and engage in various experiences with them. My experience has been mainly limited to finance, making it challenging to encounter people from different fields. Reflecting on my time so far, I have learned a lot and found it enjoyable to discuss and solve problems with people who hold perspectives different from my own. The key reason I chose Ross was its emphasis on action-based learning. The phrase that resonated with me the most when I was applying and browsing the Michigan Ross website was "learning business by doing business." I believe that the most significant learning comes from actual experience, which is why I found the Ross focus on this approach particularly compelling and ultimately chose to study here.

What are you most looking forward to while at Michigan Ross?
During my time at Michigan Ross, I want to meet a variety of people and find experiences that would be difficult to have in Korea. Personally, I have a keen interest in art, so I am looking forward to attending the art fair in Chicago, Illinois, and visiting the Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas.

What has been your first impression of Michigan Ross?
I first saw the school on a cloudy, gloomy day during winter break when there were hardly any people around. The desolate atmosphere made me worry about how well I would adapt. Fortunately, with the start of the semester and the return of students, the vibrant atmosphere and numerous events make me look forward to school life. The MBA Program is structured to facilitate a smooth adaptation to school and classes, which I believe will be especially beneficial for those like myself who are returning to school after a long break.

Cory Mia Sihombing, MBA ’25

Hometown
Indonesia

What is your post-graduation career interest or goal?
My goal is to be a CEO in the pharmaceutical industry.

Why are you pursuing your MBA, and what made you choose Michigan Ross?
There are several reasons why I want to pursue an MBA at Michigan Ross. Firstly, the school offers a comprehensive business education with action-based learning and MAP alongside innovative curricula related to product development, supply chain, operations, and the global business environment, all of which are perfectly aligned with my short-term and long-term career goals. Secondly, Michigan Ross has a collaborative culture within the student, faculty, and alumni association, as evidenced by its high rank in alumni effectiveness by The Economist.

Pursuing an MBA has been a long-standing dream of mine ever since I began handling manufacturers in Indonesia and other Southeast Asia markets a few years ago. I am eager to gain a deeper understanding of business, marketing, finance, and people beyond quality and operations. I believe that Michigan Ross is the right place for me, with the resources I need to succeed as a woman in the pharmaceutical industry and the broader business community. Through the Ross STEM-designated specialization in management science, I will also enhance my capabilities to become an entrepreneur.

What are you most looking forward to while at Michigan Ross?
Networking is an integral part of my academic journey, and I take immense pleasure in engaging with my classmates and the wider community. Joining the inclusive community at Michigan Ross through organizations such as the Zell Lurie Institute and the Michigan Business Women club is a great chance for me to learn from successful women leaders possessing a wide range of interests who have built successful careers. I plan to learn about career management and networking, find mentors, and secure leadership opportunities within and outside Ann Arbor.

I am excited about actively participating in the community and establishing solid relationships among students, alumni, faculty, and women in the greater Ann Arbor area. I look forward to harmonizing men's and women's voices in addressing issues surrounding women's advancement in the workplace.

What has been your first impression of Michigan Ross?
Cohesive and proactive. During our orientation, my cohort and I were equipped with valuable leadership, communication, and marketing skills through real-life case studies that we will apply over the next year and a half. From this experience, I wholeheartedly endorse Michigan Ross for its emphasis on action-based learning, leadership development, and collaborative culture. The program's MAP course provides hands-on experience in solving real business challenges with global companies. Additionally, the school prioritizes cultivating strong leadership skills and fostering a cohesive community.

Steve Lin, MBA ’25

Hometown
Taipei, Taiwan

What is your post-graduation career interest or goal?
My favorite part of being in the healthcare industry is helping patients in need. I am passionate and committed to roles in product innovation and pipeline planning in the global healthcare market.

Why are you pursuing your MBA, and what made you choose Michigan Ross?
Michigan Ross is renowned for its connected, supportive, and collaborative alumni network. Learning by doing in my mid-term career, I want to immerse myself into a MAP Project and accelerate in a 16-month MBA program. A Ross MBA is the top choice for pivoting my career into the global market with its specialized healthcare concentration and Sanger Leadership Center projects.

What are you most looking forward to while at Michigan Ross?
I was privileged to witness the Michigan Wolverines win the College Football National Championship in the first week I joined the Michigan Ross GMBA Program. It was phenomenal, and people shared the excitement about the big game! I want to carry forward the "bring everyone together" spirit into group discussions and grow together with my cohort.

What has been your first impression of Michigan Ross?
I was amazed by the diversity of the class. Among 21 students, we came from eight different countries, varied majors, and 20 distinct industries. With an average of nine years of working experience, everyone showed their expertise and authentically shared insights from industry trends. During the first week of orientation, we supported each other, explored our out-of-the-box interests, and became part of the Michigan Ross family. Go Blue!