Michigan Ross Alums Share Their Career Journeys in Honor of Women’s History Month

This includes thousands of hardworking and talented Michigan Ross alums who are making their mark on the business world and continuing to drive positive change in the workplace and across the globe.

To honor the work of some of the impactful women who have graduated from Michigan Ross, we reached out to a few of our alums to learn about their lives and careers since graduating, what inspires them, and what insights they’ve gained as women in business.

Samaakhya Pattem, MSCM ’22

Corporate supply chain strategy manager at Cummins Inc.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments thus far in your life? 
I am proud of the risk I took in 2021 amidst the pandemic to pursue further studies and specialize in the field of supply chain management. Post graduation, I changed industries and moved from consulting to manufacturing. This move helped me shape my career in a new direction, and I landed in a leadership role with experienced professionals. I am still in that role, constantly applying my subject knowledge and working on real-world, high-impact supply chain issues.

What passion projects or organizations are you involved with to help support, inspire, and/or advocate for the next generation of female leaders?
I have always been grateful to my mentors and other alums for guiding me through difficult times. I strongly believe in giving back to the community and school. I am part of the Ross Women in Business Association, as co-vice president of events. It’s a community that empowers and inspires Ross alums through all life stages of professional and personal growth. We host a variety of events for networking like coffee chats, panel discussions, and workshops. I am also part of the Women in Business mentorship program as both a mentor and a mentee.

At my workplace, I have been recently engaged in the supply chain consulting studio, as a buddy for current Michigan Ross MSCM interns. I have also been a part of a program called Discover Cummins at work, where I led a couple of leadership panel discussions to raise awareness about the company and its leadership experiences. All these initiatives are helping me connect with like-minded individuals and support others through my experiences. I am hoping to continue learning, growing, and contributing through similar associations in the future!

Is there an organization or person who has inspired and influenced you as you grow in your career and/or on a personal level?
I have always been inspired by my dad. He has always prioritized learning opportunities and strongly believes that learning never stops with age. He is retired now, but is still working as a consultant for one of the leading multinational corporations in India, developing new skills and challenging himself every day — that truly inspires me. I strongly believe that age can never be an excuse to stop the learning curve. I try to stay curious and have an open mind; it helps me accept diverse perspectives and evolve as a better individual.

What experiences did you have as a student at Michigan Ross that helped contribute to your journey? 
I got the opportunity to explore my strengths and weaknesses by going out of my comfort zone and engaging in multiple initiatives, which called for a variety of skill sets. I worked as a consultant for the Central Student Government, co-chaired the Michigan India Conference in 2022, served as a community center assistant, and met awesome friends who supported me throughout the journey. Through these experiences, I got a chance to interact with diverse people with unique perspectives, backgrounds, interests, and personalities. I learned the significance of building meaningful relationships, being patient, and trusting the process to achieve my goals.

What was one of the most helpful things you did to ensure you had a support team to help you grow and develop as a person?
As an individual we always have opinions and experiences, but to have genuine support, we need friends and family who can trust us and share honest feedback. I try to listen to others with an unbiased opinion and put myself in others' shoes before sharing my view, to help them navigate any situation and share transparent feedback.

Are there any favorite quotes that stand out to you as we reflect on the contributions of women in all facets of life and their contributions to history, culture, and society?
“Timing is everything. If it’s meant to happen, it will, at the right time, for the right reasons.”

Mia McCrumb, BBA ’21

Diabetes HCP marketing senior associate at Eli Lilly and Co.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments thus far in your life? 
When I applied to the University of Michigan, it was a reach school. But come to think of it, every school I applied to was a reach school. As a first-generation college student from a small farm town with a population of 1,024 people, my proudest accomplishment is hung up by my desk — a college degree, from one of the best institutions in the world, no doubt.

When I look up at the wall, I am reminded every day of the odds I overcame, from the limited college advancement programs to help prepare me for the rigor of higher education to a genuine lack of understanding of what college would be like if I got there. This was heightened by the fact those around me did not have the experience to share in paving the way for me.

But I had a goal, a family that supported my ambitions, and a community that cheered me on. So, when I look back on where I am now, that piece of paper grounds me in what is my proudest accomplishment; I am ever grateful for the hurdles I overcame, the opportunities I now have access to, and the ways I can now pass it on.

Is there an organization or person who has inspired and influenced you as you grow in your career and/or on a personal level?
Contributing to my community is important to me, so when I moved to Chicago in 2023, I made a point to find a way to give back to my neighbors. This is how I came across the All Stars Project of Chicago, a nonprofit focused on the development of well-deserving yet underserved youth. Throughout my time volunteering, whether it be phone banking and requesting students to join us for program interviews or a Development School for Youth networking workshop, I have been inspired by students and organizational leaders alike. But what has inspired me most is how I have seen All Stars set its students up for success.

By prompting two core values, accountability and autonomy, students are given opportunities and guidance but are tasked with showing up for it. It is also a place where a “no, I cannot continue the rest of the program due to a conflict” is celebrated, because students have made a choice for themselves and their lives, which ultimately empowers their strong decision-making skills.

I take that lesson with me in my day to day. When I am tasked with making my own business, career, and personal decisions, I think about how these young people have exemplified to me how to do so with true consideration and candor. These students raise expectations, and I lead by their example.

What was one of the most helpful things you did to ensure you had a support team to help you grow and develop as a person?
There is still so much growth and development yet to be done as an early career professional in her mid-twenties. What I do to ensure that I am reaching my utmost potential is surround myself with those who push me to think beyond.

It was first my dad who instilled a personal drive in me by sitting me down in the sixth grade and making me promise him that I would go to college. Then it was my college peer, whose passion for being a strong woman in finance inspired me to pursue my passion in the healthcare industry. Now it is my career mentor who shared that oftentimes women feel they need to first get the boots-on-the-ground experience before they lead the team, but showed me that doesn’t need to be the case. Realizing my growth potential has been guided by those around me, and my development as a person thrives as a result.

Are there any favorite quotes that stand out to you as we reflect on the contributions of women in all facets of life and their contributions to history, culture, and society?
Human rights advocate Malala Yousafzai says, “I raise up my voice — not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard… we cannot all succeed when half of us are held back." Women make us better, and our world is better because of women. Raise her voice, and you raise the voices of many.

Allison Myers, MBA ’13

Co-founder and general partner at Buoyant Ventures

What is one of your proudest accomplishments thus far in your life?
Co-founding Buoyant Ventures. We launched the fund in January 2020, focusing on digital solutions for climate change, and there were plenty of ups and downs getting it successfully funded, especially given all the macroeconomic events during that time.

What experiences did you have as a student at Michigan that helped contribute to your journey? 
Looking back at my MBA experience at U-M, I am amazed by how many clubs, events, classes, etc., provided me with opportunities to learn from other women leaders. During these interactions, these women shared their candid stories — ranging from balancing work and family to advocating for themselves and navigating career highs and lows — and offered many different examples of resilience, courage, and vision.

These interactions weren’t just enlightening; they were profoundly inspirational, providing me with practical strategies and emphasizing the importance of authenticity, support networks, and clear communication. The wisdom from these leaders has profoundly shaped my approach to leadership and personal development, guiding me to pursue my goals with the same determination and integrity they demonstrated.

What was one of the most helpful things you did to ensure you had a support team to help you grow and develop as a person?
Mentorship has been a big theme in my career. I was very fortunate to have amazing mentors in my life. My dad was a great example of what a good mentor should be, and it helped me look out for others during my career. At Accenture Strategy, I led the MBA internship program and found a lot of enjoyment in mentoring interns and new consultants. It has also been one of the best paybacks I’ve received. It helped grow my network of support and provided opportunities in ways I never expected.

Are there any favorite quotes that stand out to you as we reflect on the contributions of women in all facets of life and their contributions to history, culture, and society?
Maya Angelou's quote, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel," deeply reflects the often underappreciated contributions of women throughout history and highlights the significant yet subtle impact of emotional and psychological support across various facets of life.

This insight emphasizes the value of empathy, compassion, and emotional intelligence, attributes that women have historically brought to the forefront of societal progress and cohesion. Angelou's words recognize and honor the emotional legacies and behind-the-scenes efforts of women, showcasing their role not only through tangible achievements but also through the lasting emotional connections they foster.