This fall, the Sanger Leadership Center partnered with Michigan Ross faculty members Aparna Joshi and Walt Sowden to support the capstone experience in MO 503: Leading People & Organizations, a core Full-Time MBA course that challenges students to navigate the complexities of organizational leadership. The collaboration created deeper opportunities for students to receive real-time developmental feedback as they put theory into practice.
Inside MO 503’s Action-Based Simulation
MO 503 centers around a six-week organizational simulation that places students in the role of leaders making decisions under pressure. Throughout the term, teams move through scenarios involving system analysis, team culture, political dynamics, talent management, and a future vision—mirroring the complexity and ambiguity of real organizations.
The course blends academic theory with action, requiring students to integrate data, communicate across differences, and reflect on their leadership approach as challenges evolve.
Partnering to Elevate the Capstone Experience
To deepen the practical component of the capstone presentations, Sanger partnered with faculty to recruit a panel of leadership practitioners who provided developmental feedback to more than 400 students. Judges included:
Michelle Austin
Director of Programming, Sanger Leadership Center; Adjunct Lecturer, Management & Organizations
Rebecca Callahan, MBA ’03
Founder, Summer Day LLC; Former VP, Signature Leaders; Sanger Advisory Board Member
Jeff Domagala
Managing Director, Sanger Leadership Center; Adjunct Lecturer, Management & Organizations; ICF-Certified Coach
Hassib Jaber
Director of Strategy & Technology, Integreon Global; Freelance Consultant
Lisa Morgan
Executive Coach and Alumni Career Coach, Michigan Ross
Their insights supported teams as they articulated organizational values, strategic choices, and leadership decisions—helping students move from concept to execution with confidence. As judge Rebecca Callahan (MBA ’03) noted, the experience offered an exciting opportunity to blend business education with real-world leadership practice:
“When Sanger invited me to be a judge, it was an easy yes. I loved complementing the technical frameworks taught in class by challenging assumptions through real-world experience and giving feedback on executive presence—a skill worth developing early. Being back on campus with these incredible students was energizing, and I hope to do it again.”
Strengthening Leadership Learning at Ross
This collaboration represents one of the ways Sanger is working alongside faculty to expand action-based leadership development throughout the Michigan Ross curriculum. By connecting students with experienced practitioners and real-time coaching, MO 503 offers MBA learners a chance to practice the mindsets and behaviors they will carry into internships, careers, and beyond.