The Ross Leaders Academy (RLA), powered by the Sanger Leadership Center and sponsored by the Deloitte Foundation, is a year-long leadership development program open to students across the University of Michigan. Through RLA, fellows participate in a dynamic learning ecosystem that combines live, in-person sessions grounded in cutting-edge research, one-on-one and group coaching to foster growth and connection, and community spaces that encourage authentic leadership development.
This year’s cohort brings together 48 students representing 10 U-M schools and colleges, 11 degree programs, and both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Three of these students shared why they applied to RLA, what they hope to gain from the experience, and what this opportunity means to them.
Rachel Boudeman
BIA ‘27
MJ Gellada
WMBA ‘26
Sarah Wang
MM ‘26
Why did you apply for the RLA program, and what aspects of the program resonated most with your personal and professional goals?
Rachel: I applied to RLA because I want to be intentional about the kind of leader I’m becoming. What stood out to me most was how the program blends reflection, coaching, and purpose-driven development. It aligns perfectly with my goal of using business and technology to create meaningful impact, while helping me understand not just what I want to achieve, but who I’m becoming along the way.
MJ: Ross Leaders Academy is an opportunity for me to hone my leadership skills. As a growing, aspiring leader, this is another step in my leadership journey where I am sharing my experiences with a community of like-minded people. We will be challenging each other’s thoughts and learning new perspectives from one another.
Sarah: I applied to RLA because the program’s focus on self-awareness, resilience, and adaptive leadership directly aligns with my passion for understanding people and building healthy, high-performing teams. After taking on various leadership roles in both my educational and work experiences, I wanted a structured space to reflect on and refine my leadership style. RLA’s community of purpose-driven peers also resonated with my goal of growing alongside others who value impact and authenticity in leadership.
What are your aspirations for your leadership journey? How do you see your RLA experience helping you get there?
Rachel: I want to be a leader who creates spaces where people feel seen, valued, and genuinely supported. RLA is helping me build that foundation by giving me the tools and space to reflect, grow, and practice leading with empathy and intention. I’m learning how to lead with clarity and confidence, while staying grounded in who I am and what I care about.
MJ: I aspire to be a leader who stands resolute to my values for people in all communities I am a part of. Through RLA, I will continually be challenging and reminding myself of what my leadership values are, and this program will reinforce what I believe makes me a unique individual and leader for others.
Sarah: My aspiration is to become a leader who leads with empathy, structure, and influence; I want to be someone who creates environments where people feel valued and empowered to grow into the best version of themselves. Through RLA, I hope to strengthen my adaptability, transform weaknesses into areas of growth, and build deeper trust with those around me. I am confident the program’s emphasis on reflection will help me find a leadership style that balances authenticity with impact.
What is one unique personal passion or interest you have outside of your academic and professional life that informs your approach to leadership?
Rachel: I love connecting with people–sometimes through deep, meaningful conversations, and sometimes simply by making someone laugh! I believe that leadership often shows up in the smallest moments of presence and encouragement. Building meaningful relationships is at the core of how I lead: with authenticity, curiosity, and compassion.
MJ: I have been a marathon runner for the past 2 years, and being prepared for a marathon race never happens overnight. It takes discipline and dedication to train. It is similar to leadership that when it comes time to perform, I will always find ways to strive for a new personal best.
Sarah: A personal passion that influences my approach to leadership is list-making; I am someone who thrives on creating structure and organization in everything I do. Whether it is planning my day or mapping out my goals, lists have always helped me stay grounded and focused. This habit really carries into my leadership style as it has allowed me to bring clarity, reliability, and follow-through to my teams while keeping our objectives achievable.
The funding for RLA comes from individual employees at Deloitte who choose to donate. There have been over 150 donors to date! What message do you have to these individuals who support the program through philanthropy and volunteering?
Rachel: Because of your support, students like me get to grow with confidence and learn from incredible peers–people who challenge me, cheer for me, and inspire me every single session. As one of the younger members of the cohort, I feel incredibly lucky to have access to this kind of growth so early in my journey. Thank you so much for making that possible!
MJ: I want to thank you all for supporting this exceptional program. Having this opportunity at my school demonstrates the importance of having people who gone through RLA in our lives. Coming out of RLA, we absolutely become the “Leaders and Best.”
Sarah: I am incredibly grateful to the Deloitte employees who are actively choosing to invest in the growth of student leaders through their generosity. Your support makes it possible for programs like RLA to create these one of a kind learning experiences. Thank you for believing in us to make a lasting impact!