Q&A: Michigan Ross Alumnae Share Their Stories for Women’s History Month

To celebrate Women’s History Month, we reached out to some of our alumnae to learn about their lives and careers after graduating from Ross, what inspires them, and their experiences as women in business.

Jennifer Fasolino, BBA ’93

CEO and Founder, Make It Shine 

Formerly Vice President of Internal Communications, Blue Yonder

What is one of your proudest accomplishments (career/personal) thus far in your life?

One of my proudest career accomplishments was serving as chief of staff to our then CEO, Girish Rishi, at Blue Yonder from 2019-2020. It was an exceptionally dynamic time of change and growth. We were undergoing business transformation, broadening our supply chain platform through strategic mergers and acquisitions, and rebranding our company — all amid a global pandemic. 

During this time, I was tasked with nurturing a resilient culture centered around our core values of teamwork, relentlessness, results, and empathy. I am most proud of growing associate engagement in our global organization and building a strong sense of belonging. I cherish the many connections I made around the world; these priceless ties are a gift that lives on beyond the role.

What passion projects or organizations are you involved with to help support, inspire, and/or advocate for the next generation of female leaders?

I led the Women's Interest Network chapter for Blue Yonder's global headquarters from 2016-2019. In that time, the group evolved from passionate associates coming together to support community service projects with the Sojourner Center and Dress for Success, to building out corporate-wide campaigns to raise awareness and celebrate International Women's Day every March 8. 

As we grew, committee leads were appointed to manage a full calendar of events, webinars, and guest speakers. It was amazing to see what can be accomplished when people come together with a shared purpose to support women's interests, promote equity for all, and drive success in the workplace through increased opportunity, leadership roles, and recognition. 

Is there a person who has inspired and influenced you as you grow in your career and/or on a personal level? 

My dad inspires me to always keep learning and seek out experiencing new things. He is a Michigan alum as well and earned his master's in engineering. Before it was coined, he lived with a growth mindset and a "you only live once" mentality. His love of travel influenced me early on to explore the world. My queue of desired adventures has yet to be satisfied, but I'm optimistic.

Even in his eighties, he maintains a voracious appetite for keeping up with technology, staying on top of world news, and diligently managing his finances to ensure a good life for himself and his family. He is relentless in his focus and life priorities. Therefore, he continues to inspire and influence me to work hard, play hard, and travel far!

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?

I believe when we pursue problem solving with a variety of voices, we can learn from one another to find or create the best solution. Therefore, this African proverb greatly resonates with me: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

Jennifer Paxton Flagg, MBA ’17

Senior Industry Marketing Manager, Amazon

What is one of your proudest accomplishments (career/personal) thus far in your life? 

I am very proud to have spearheaded the Black Innovators in Skin Health QuickFire Challenge at Johnson & Johnson in 2020. The goal was to find and support U.S.-based Black innovators with the best idea, technology, or solution aimed at improving skincare for people of color — particularly acne and post-acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, scalp care, and sun protection.

The awardees, the founders of EADEM, received mentorship from the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, access to the global Johnson & Johnson Innovation-JLABS network, and $50,000 in grant funding. EADEM is now distributed in Sephora and is one of the fastest growing beauty companies in America according to Fast Company, thanks to the support of this program.

Is there an organization or person who has inspired and influenced you as you grow in your career and/or on a personal level?

Management Leadership for Tomorrow changed my life. From participating in their undergraduate program, Career Prep, through my MBA journey, the organization has offered me unparalleled access and coaching. I always remember the founder, John Rice, telling me to be "scrappy." His push for me to leverage my resilience as an area of strength was a game changer for me.

How did you ensure you had a support team to help you grow and develop as a person?

My network of strong, brilliant, and supportive women from Ross has helped me navigate the corporate world across industries with confidence. Whenever I am contemplating a new career move or advocating for higher compensation, this circle of women is always there with a listening ear and sage advice.

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?

“I am a feminist, and what that means to me is much the same as the meaning of the fact that I am Black; it means that I must undertake to love myself and to respect myself as though my very life depends upon self-love and self-respect.” – June Jordan

Melody Zhang, MBA ’08

Founder, XY Admission and Career Consulting

What is one of your proudest accomplishments (career/personal) thus far in your life? 

Founding and growing XY Education into a networking hub that offers career guidance and support, especially for women facing career challenges, is one of my proudest accomplishments. By initiating and participating in relevant discussions on social media, hosting group and one-on-one consultations, and organizing career-focused events, my team and I have helped numerous young professionals become more aware of gender equality, overcome career obstacles, find role models, and gain encouragement.

I have also established a book club and launched a podcast that delves into various topics such as career choices, mental health, business knowledge, entrepreneurship, structural gender equality, and family and intimate relationships. I aspire to encourage more women to join discussions on important social issues, ultimately reducing the bias caused by the absence of female voices.

What experiences did you have as a student at Michigan Ross that helped contribute to your journey? 

At Ross, I had several experiences that were instrumental in shaping my future path. One of the most significant was the outstanding career services offered during the first year of my MBA. These services were well organized and comprehensive, and as an international student without a background in finance, they were particularly helpful in securing a position at a prominent New York investment bank.

However, perhaps the most significant benefit was the welcoming and diverse community at Ross and the plethora of opportunities for professional development, including speeches, seminars, conferences, and industry sharing events. These experiences taught me how to bring people together, foster learning, facilitate productive debates, and encourage growth by challenging our existing perspectives.

How did you ensure you had a support team to help you grow and develop as a person?

Regularly communicating with alumni has been one of the most helpful things I've done to build a support team that could assist me in my personal growth and development. In Shanghai, there are over 300 Michigan Ross alumni who are leaders in various industries, and we also have a broader University of Michigan alumni network. As co-president of the Shanghai alumni club, I've organized a variety of alumni events, including happy hours, cross-school mixers, entrepreneurship-themed sharing sessions, and new student send-offs.

Whenever I’ve faced career challenges or needed new ideas, I would meet with alumni over coffee. They have consistently been reliable sounding boards, providing me with useful feedback and advice, and often connecting me with valuable resources.

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?

I often use the quote, "Well-behaved women seldom make history" by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. 

Even highly educated and successful women face enormous societal pressure to conform to traditional feminine virtues. Breaking away from the mainstream requires both courage and awareness, and this quote serves as a powerful reminder that in order to avoid being forgotten, silenced, or erased from history, women must find the strength to challenge the norms and stand out.

Valerie Woerner, BA ’73/MBA ’76

Principal, E78

CEO, CEO At Your Service

What is one of your proudest accomplishments (career/personal) thus far in your life? 

I’m proudest of the work/life I have created for my family. Notice I didn’t say balance. I worked on a Saturday, gave birth to my beloved daughter Sunday night, and returned to work Monday morning given my responsibilities as company president.

Professionally, after thorough research as the newly hired president of Artichoke Industries, I crafted a business plan designed to create a viable future for a high-quality consumer packaged goods company. We constructed a sustainable, state-of-the-art, $20 million, 72,000 square-foot, highly-automated food processing plant and water purification facility. The company had their first owned property after over 40 years of renting. We generated dividends for shareholders for the first time ever and negotiated an offer to acquire the company, providing a return of 10 times the book value to shareholders.

What passion projects or organizations are you involved with to help support, inspire, and/or advocate for the next generation of female leaders?

I was fortunate to be involved in assisting a key leader and several others to found A Seat at The Table, a women’s empowerment group in Seattle for women targeting the C-suite. I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed mentoring via the Michigan Ross Alumni in Residence, as well as the Leadership Crisis Challenge for the last few years. I’ve connected with several students, some of which I still coach and enjoy watching their careers and personal lives bloom. 

I also participate in the Michigan Ross Alumni Board of Governors on an array of projects involving students, such as our first-generation initiative.

What experiences did you have as a student at Michigan Ross that helped contribute to your journey?

At Michigan Ross, I learned the benefits of collaboration, scenario planning, thorough analysis and research, effective presentation skills, and how to stay up most hours of the day and night. This has served me very well as I’ve worked many 90-hour weeks as a CEO since business school. Just before graduation, my favorite professor told our finance class that we should always continue to study, read voraciously, and keep learning. This has been my life-long habit.

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?

Two of my favorite quotes:

“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous; be strong, be extremely kind, and above all, humble.”  – Serena Williams

“If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat, just get on!” - Sheryl Sandberg