Akbar Arsiwala

University of Michigan, Ross School of Business

“I’m the legacy of many families, both given by birth and chosen throughout my life.”

Hometown: Northville, MI

Fun fact about yourself: I’m a self-proclaimed burrito connoisseur. I’ve eaten and rated over 200 burrito spots across the country!

Undergraduate School and Degree: United States Naval Academy – Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a Minor in Arabic.

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? After leaving the military, I was a Program Manager for the Travis Manion Foundation, a national veteran-serving nonprofit. I also spent my pre-MBA summer as a Product Manager intern at Duo Security.

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? In the summer of 2023, I interned at Nike Inc. in Beaverton, Oregon, focusing on consumer direct marketing for their men’s basketball division. My work ranged from supporting LeBron James’ 21st shoe launch to managing digital ad placements with agencies. The experience taught me the importance of cross-team collaboration and consumer research, anchored by Nike’s mission-driven approach. It was an insightful introduction to effective marketing strategies.

Where will you be working after graduation? After graduation, I’m grateful to return to Nike to join their Marketing Vanguard Program. This two-year leadership development program will allow me to rotate among various teams, each focusing on the intersection of sports, geographies, and ages. It’s an exciting opportunity to build a marketing toolkit within the dynamic world of sports and athletics.

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• VP of Youth Mentorship: Detroit Initiative at Ross
• VP of Community Engagement: Armed Forces Association
• VP of Consulting Projects: FitX (Health & Fitness Tech Club)
• VP of Marketing: MTrek at Ross
• Teaching Assistant: Management As a Calling
• President: Section 4
• Co-President: The Ross BUS
• Volunteer Coach: University of Michigan Adaptive Sports Program
• Winner: 2022 Tech Innovation Jam
• Dean’s Impact Scholar

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? I am most proud of building out the curriculum for Detroit Initiative at Ross’s youth mentorship program. One of my passions is empowering youth to grow into the best versions of themselves. I had the privilege of working with the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy (JRLA) to construct a year-long leadership education program that focused on identifying values, leadership styles, and communication techniques. It was fulfilling to see my classmates embrace their roles as mentors and cultivate authentic relationships with these future leaders. Also, it was just plain fun! The kids brought so much energy to each session, and I always left feeling more whole.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? During the height of COVID-19, Chicago’s largest veterans’ food pantry closed its doors. In response, I developed a response plan aimed at addressing the sudden food insecurity facing hundreds of families. After working through funding concerns, local approval, supply shortages, and volunteer safety, I managed to secure a local venue for distribution. Through connections with local food distributors, we were fortunate to partner with the US Department of Agriculture to receive 5,000 pounds of fresh produce monthly. I also connected with local grantors to access pandemic relief funds to purchase non-perishable goods and sanitizing supplies. Over the next 14 months, my team distributed over 100 tons of food to more than 2,400 families, a testament to what community collaboration can achieve in times of need.

Why did you choose this business school? I was drawn to the Ross School of Business because, throughout my professional career, I found that I learn best by doing. Ross strongly focuses on action-based learning and touted many opportunities to transfer lessons from the whiteboard to the board room. Upon arriving in Ann Arbor, I got to live out this focus by participating in a startup pitch competition, organizing a 5K fundraiser for veterans, and even traveling to Malawi for almost a month to work with a women’s health NGO, the OTK Foundation, to name a few.

And honestly, I still have FOMO (fear of missing out) from all the incredible opportunities I didn’t have time to take advantage of. As I get closer to graduation and reflect on my two years in Ann Arbor, I am confident I made the right decision to come to Ross to get my MBA.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? This is a tricky question! Choosing the most impactful professor is challenging, but Professor Andrew Hoffman stands out. My admiration began during Orientation, captivated by his talk on finding purpose in one’s profession. Inspired, I applied and was selected to be a Teaching Assistant for his “Management as a Calling” course. The course, bookended by weekend retreats in the woods, fostered deep connections, sharing, and self-reflection. Working with Professor Hoffman not only deepened my understanding of the course content but also allowed me to weave these lessons into my own life philosophy and career path.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? TO640: Big Data Management tops the list. While the name may be scary, the extreme applicability of the course materials is why it’s my favorite. Not only did we get to dabble in SQL, Tableau, and Python, but we also had the opportunity to apply these skills to real-world business problems. For example, my team worked on understanding the relationship between public bike (Bluebike) allocation and major sporting events in Boston. While working with tools I’d never used before was daunting, I came to Ross to push myself out of my comfort zone. And it’s paid off! It’s exciting to graduate feeling confident that such analytical and technical skills are a part of my toolkit.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? Looking back, I’d say it’s essential to prioritize individual connection alongside large group events. At Ross, there’s no shortage of events like tailgates, dance shows, weekly bar nights, and conferences that offer fun ways to bond with classmates. Yet, looking back over the past two years, it’s the spontaneous, impromptu moments that stand out the most. Whether it’s a casual chat with a classmate while heading to class or sharing a meal with a friend, these unplanned interactions have often led to the most memorable experiences.

What is the biggest myth about your school?

Myth: Ann Arbor is a dull, small college town in the middle of nowhere.

Fact: Ann Arbor is a vibrant city with so much going on, especially on game days!

Moving from Chicago, I was worried that moving to a small college town in the middle of the Midwest would leave me bored most nights. Instead, my social calendar is filled with trivia nights, house parties, potlucks, and watch parties. That doesn’t even include Michigan Football during the fall! There’s magic to living within a 15-minute walk of all of your friends.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Luckily, Ann Arbor wasn’t entirely new for me, as my younger brother came here for undergrad (he’ll never let me forget he’s the family’s OG Wolverine). Every time I’d visit, I’d get a small taste of what it could be like living here. However, what surprised me most was how quickly I felt like a local. Whether getting pre-class breakfast at Benny’s or singing Mr. Brightside in the Big House, I know that returning to Ann Arbor will always feel a little like home, no matter how long it’ll be.

What surprised you the most about business school? How personally transformative it was. I expected a significant shift in my professional trajectory, but I can say with certainty that I’ve made lifelong friends, met my (now) partner, and have a new perspective on who I’d like to be when I “grow up.” It truly is a life-changing experience.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Matthew Friedland. As a dual MD/MBA, he has one of the most curious minds I’ve ever met and knows something about everything. He’s also the embodiment of kindness, empathy, and work ethic. Our paths first crossed during LDRx, a weekly peer-led session designed to expand our leadership skills. As our friendship grew, we started a tradition of bi-weekly breakfasts at a local diner, talking about everything from personal values to our favorite Sci-Fi novels. I’ll forever be grateful for him and our friendship.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

Support Nike’s marketing efforts for the 2028 LA Olympics.

Get deeply involved in Nike’s Sport Access Initiative, helping the next generation of athletes fall in love with sports.

What made Akbar such an invaluable member of the Class of 2024?

“Akbar is one of the most solid, dependable, focused, centered, and honorable MBA students I have ever worked with.  He was a teaching assistant for an innovative program I have started called “Management as a Calling.”  In that program, he stood out as someone who took initiative and helped students through an intense experience of guided discernment.  I would recommend him for the highest honors when given the opportunity.”

Andy Hoffman
Holcim (US) Professor of Sustainable Enterprise
Professor of Management & Organizations, Professor of Environment and Sustainability
Ross School of Business/School for Environment & Sustainability

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