Economics Alumni Spotlights

Our Economics alumni use the analytical, research, and problem-solving skills they developed at UM-Dearborn in careers across business, finance, government, consulting, policy, and data analysis. Their journeys reflect the versatility of an economics degree, with graduates applying what they learned in the classroom to make informed decisions, solve complex challenges, and create meaningful impact in a wide range of industries.

Current Career/Position: Director of Data Purchasing & Partnerships

Employer: Consumer Reports

Skills and areas of expertise: New business development & opportunity modeling, strategic partner evaluation & due diligence, negotiation, data strategy.

How my degree helped me in my career field: I received two degrees from UM-Dearborn. My undergraduate degree - a B.A. in Economics & Political Science - and my graduate degree - a M.S. in Data Analytics. My coursework in Economics and Statistics enabled me to begin working at the UM Institute for Social Research as an undergraduate student. Earning my degree in Business Analytics directly led to my hiring at Ford in their corporate strategy department, focusing on new business evaluation and financial modeling. I then transitioned into a role within Ford's data & analytics division, managing Ford's external data purchasing and key aspects of the organization's data strategy. Now at Consumer Reports, I've leveraged my experience from the prior 15+ years to identify opportunities for Consumer Reports to expand its reach through data-focused partnerships.

What I liked best about my time at UM-Dearborn and my fondest memory: Two things stand out about my time at UM-Dearborn: The lifelong friendships I made, and the quality of the instruction provided by the professors in the Department of Social Sciences. One of my fondest memories was participating in - and placing 2nd at - the Chicago Fed Challenge with my fellow Money & Banking classmates in 2007.

  Major: Economics and Finance

  Current Career:  Associate Director of Funding

  Employer: Ford Motor Company

  What professional achievements, milestones or     accomplishments are you the most proud      of? Receiving Chancellor's Medallions from both the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters and the School of Management; graduating with an MBA from Harvard Business School; receiving a full fellowship from Merrill Lynch and working in investment banking; and working in China for five years.

What skills do you find the most valuable in your job? Tenacity--any challenge can be overcome through persistence, collaboration, and following your curiosity until you reach a solution. It's also good to let ideas percolate--take a walk and/or sleep on it and your brain will find solutions for you.  

What did you like best during your time at UM-Dearborn or what is your fondest memory? My fondest memory was leading the Finance Club. It was incredibly rewarding to foster a community of driven students and coordinate guest speakers who provided real-world insights into the diverse career paths within finance and economics. That sense of connection stayed with me after graduation. I was part of the inaugural 'Graduates of the Last Decade' (GOLD) alumni group, where we focused on professional development and supporting university initiatives. Being a part of those two groups was deeply meaningful.

What is your advice for economics majors? Don't be afraid to dive in and ask questions. The more people you talk to and projects you take on, the more you will learn and grow. If it pushes you out of your comfort zone, that is a good thing. As you practice and develop, your comfort zone will stretch, and things that seemed intimidating before will become second nature. Keep stretching and there are no limits to your potential! 

Major: Economics / Engineering (Industrial and Electrical) /MBA

Current Career/Position: Electrical Engineer

Employer: Ford Motor Company

What professional achievements, milestones or accomplishments are you most proud of?: Getting my bachelors, landing my first internship, traveling abroad for work (China), study abroad: WHU in Germany, getting my MBA.

What skills do you find most valuable in your job?: Critical thinking, follow through, and determination.

Stay connected long after graduation! The Social Sciences alumni network is a vibrant community of professionals, scholars, and leaders working across government, nonprofits, education, business, and community organizations.

Join our network to reconnect with classmates, share your experiences, mentor current students, and celebrate the achievements of fellow Dearborn Wolverines making a difference in the world. Once a part of CASL and the Social Sciences community, you’ll always be part of the conversation.