Meet Six Members of the 10th Anniversary Ross Leaders Academy Cohort

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. Throughout the program, fellows collaborate with peers, receive one-on-one and group coaching, and engage with over 30 years of robust research led by U-M’s innovative faculty. As Sanger’s only application-based program, RLA attracted more than 180 applications this year alone.

In its 10th Anniversary cohort, 48 fellows from 9 schools and colleges were selected. Six of these individuals shared their reasons for applying to RLA, what they hope to gain from the program, and what this opportunity means to them.

Why did you apply for RLA?

Jessica: Entering college as a freshman, I’ve been grappling with questions about my identity and purpose, both as a student and as a leader. Applying to RLA has been a big part of my journey to discover who I truly am since being here. Being here has helped me realize that I want to develop into a leader who’s both confident and compassionate—a person who empowers others while remaining open to growth. 

Aditya: I always thought that leadership was a skill that someone was born with. However, as soon as I realized that someone could learn it, I applied because leaders basically stand at the forefront of our society, and I want to make a difference.

Farah: I applied for RLA because the program was an opportunity for me to commit time to personal growth and connect with students across academic disciplines. With a busy schedule, it can be difficult to carve out time focused solely on personal introspection and creating social connections outside of my program. RLA allows me to access resources that can make me a better public servant and influence the type of change I want to see in the world.

Molly: I applied for RLA because I wanted to grow as a leader and individual. I am grateful for the opportunity to develop myself as a whole person, so I can most effectively contribute my skills and perspectives I’m learning through my academic courses and UM Ross experience. 

Aakanksha: Leadership has always been my passion, and I want to use my skills to make a difference. Leadership applies every day, from academics to personal life to the professional world, and I need to understand self-leadership and how to lead a team effectively. RLA is the perfect opportunity to help me grow in these areas and reach my full potential as a leader.

Matthew: I applied to RLA because I wanted to connect with the extensive leadership resources on campus. I know that whatever field or position I occupy in the future, leadership will be a core driver for the positive impact I want to have. I hoped to put my leadership under a microscope and develop it through the RLA. 

RLA is celebrating its 10th anniversary. What does it mean to you to be a part of this cohort, specifically? 

Jessica: I am so excited to be a part of the 10th-anniversary cohort! It is really special to be able to reflect and learn from the program’s history in such an intentional way at this milestone. 

Aditya: It means a lot to me. As a relatively young person in a group full of graduate students, I have the amazing opportunity to be able to utilize all of the life experiences they have gone through as a guide for how I want to live my life. Everyone in our cohort has also been so welcoming and willing to answer all of my (admittedly) many questions.

Farah: It’s an honor to be a part of the 10th-anniversary cohort because it represents a decade of creating impactful leaders and empowering them to influence the world in their own way. It means contributing to a milestone year and celebrating the people who came before us, and embracing this opportunity to learn, grow, and collaborate with a unique set of peers that came together a decade after this program began.

Molly: Being part of RLA’s 10th-anniversary cohort means so much, especially because of the close bonds I’ve developed with the incredible people in it. I feel fortunate to be surrounded by such talented, supportive individuals who inspire me to grow and bring out my best. This experience is more than just personal growth—it’s about building lifelong connections with people with the same drive and values.

Aakanksha: Being a part of this cohort feels special, as who wouldn’t want to be part of a milestone cohort? The fact that RLA has been creating leaders for a decade shows its lasting impact, and I am proud to be a symbol of that legacy as a member of this 10th-anniversary cohort. This milestone represents the program’s growth and success, and I am excited to contribute to its continued tradition of developing strong leaders.

Matthew: Being a part of the 10th anniversary of RLA is a privilege because it shows how this program has been built up and changed throughout its history. I feel supported knowing the RLA coordinators have tweaked the program every year to better suit our interests. 

What are your anticipated goals from RLA, and in what ways do you plan to implement the knowledge gained from the program?

Jessica: I hope to become more confident in speaking up for myself and connecting with others by embracing vulnerability. I want to use the knowledge and skills gained from RLA to build meaningful connections and foster an environment where I can empower others, especially in professional and team settings.

Aditya: In the major I’m planning on pursuing, there are so many opportunities for leadership since it involves trying to understand things that are built on massive scales. That sort of stuff usually can’t be done alone. When the opportunity comes up, and I know it will, I want to be able to make a difference with my leadership style. 

Farah: My goals are to strengthen my leadership and strategic decision-making skills in team-based and cross-sector settings. I will take the knowledge I gain throughout this year into my career by enhancing my ability to lead collaborative projects and drive impactful change in advocacy and public policy. This experience will be a significant addition to my toolkit to navigate complex challenges effectively and emphatically. 

Molly: RLA’s two-part approach to self-leadership and interpersonal leadership is aligned with my reflections on my personal leadership journey, and I’m interested in diving deeper into both topics. Through RLA’s curriculum, activities, and cohort, I’m hoping to achieve greater insight into different styles of leadership, understand myself better, communicate more effectively, influence others, and ultimately contribute to building safe, strong communities. 

Aakanksha: My anticipated goals from RLA are to learn about self-leadership and the qualities needed to be an effective team leader. Since leadership plays a part in everyday life—whether personal, academic, or professional—I aim to apply the knowledge gained from RLA to be a better leader at home, in group projects, in friendships, in mentoring, and throughout my career. By developing these skills, I hope to lead with confidence and make a meaningful impact in all aspects of my life.

Matthew: My goals for RLA are to learn about the different ways others lead in their own contexts. In addition to the lecture modules, I find much insight in hearing the stories and backgrounds of the rest of the cohort, and I look forward to building upon my understanding of leadership through this experience. 

Which additional opportunities (co-curricular involvements, extracurricular pursuits, clubs, employment, etc.) have you participated in, are currently engaged in, or are intending to pursue that align with the skills and knowledge developed through RLA?

Jessica: Currently, I’m involved in two clubs: lacrosse and Bright Financial Futures, each offering unique ways to apply my RLA skills. With a new team in lacrosse, I’m working to lead as a goalie by building trust and connecting with teammates on a personal level. In Bright Financial Futures, I’m practicing public speaking and networking by participating in meetings, discussing partnership strategies, and confidently sharing my ideas—skills I’m eager to refine through RLA.

Farah: I serve as chair of Women & Gender in Public Policy at the Ford School and as co-lead for InSPIRE, a Rackham Interdisciplinary Workshop for the Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program at the Ford School. Additionally, I am a member of the Student Affairs Committee. Throughout my final year in my graduate program I was very intentional about being as involved as possible, with considerations for academics and part-time employment as a research assistant, in order to get the most of my experience at the Ford School.

Molly: I’m driven by making meaningful connections, and I’m excited to leverage my RLA learning in my participation in the WMBA cohort, WMBA DEI committee, and professional clubs. These engagements offer a variety of personal and professional settings that align with my personal values and flex different quadrants of the Michigan Model of Leadership.

Aakanksha: I serve as the co-president of IVoPH (Indian Voices of Public Health), where I am developing leadership and team-building skills. I’ve also participated in the EY Case Competition and led a group project for my MO class, which helped me hone my leadership abilities and know my areas of growth. Looking ahead, I plan to take on a GSI role and become an academic mentor, further developing my leadership and skills.

Matthew: Many of my co-curricular involvements are related to my passion for music. I hope to implement the leadership lessons from RLA in my business, Blue Locker Recording, as well as the ensembles and performing groups I am involved in. 

The funding for RLA comes from individual employees at Deloitte who chose 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 through volunteering? 

Jessica: I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Deloitte for supporting the RLA program. In just two weeks, this experience has already been life-changing, helping me grow in ways I hadn’t expected and inspiring me to pursue leadership with confidence and authenticity. Thank you for investing in our journeys and empowering us to make a lasting impact.

Aditya: It means a lot to me. As a relatively young person in a group full of graduate students, I have the amazing opportunity to be able to utilize all of the life experiences they have gone through as a guide for how I want to live my life. Everyone in our cohort has also been so welcoming and willing to answer all of my (admittedly) many questions.

Farah: Thank you Deloitte for your sponsorship of the Ross Leadership Academy and for allowing me the opportunity to develop as a future leader. Your support means that students like me have access to learning experiences that will mold our identities and how we show up to work every day for years to come following our graduation from the University of Michigan. I am excited to take what I learn from this program to make real change happen in my field and my community.

Molly: I am so thankful to Deloitte for its sponsorship and investment in our growth as leaders! I am grateful for the opportunity to formally learn about leadership, including learning more about myself, to take forward with me in all aspects of my life. Deloitte’s leadership and generosity in the development of future leaders motivates me to maximize this opportunity and look for similar values in future business partnerships.

Aakanksha: I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Deloitte for sponsoring this program. Leaders are the future of the world, and by supporting RLA, you are giving me the chance to learn and grow. Your sponsorship also provides me with the opportunity to be mentored by outstanding leaders, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.

Matthew: Thank you, Deloitte, for supporting this program which in turn enhances all of our careers. We appreciate this opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with the leaders of tomorrow.