London - Spring 2018

Overview

In most stories of individual leadership development, there is a moment where someone - a mentor, a boss, a friend - opens a door. We hope to give these chances to select Michigan students, our BLI Fellows. Access to real unvarnished examples of leadership allows students to begin to make sense of the complex tasks and skills contemporary leaders must bring to bear on the world.

This collaboration between the BLI and LSA-Opportunity Hub was the very first international access opportunity we organized. During Spring Break 2018, a select group of BLI Fellows joined BLI Director Jason Owen-Smith and LSA Dean Andrew Martin in London for an immersive leadership journey. Students shadowed UM alumni in different contexts and fields, explored the historical metropolis, took in the culture, and experienced an unforgettable glimpse into this vibrant city.

Gratitude

A big thank you to Barry Blattman (LSA) and Celeste Katz from Brookfield Property Group, Vivien Corrigan, Macquarie Group, Matthew Dean (LSA), and Doug Sheperdigian (LSA) for all their time and dedication to helping us engage with London alumni. We genuinely value the London Alumni mentors for sharing their time and experience with our students.

We thank Aaron Westfall and Debbie Cartwright from Cambridge University and Matthew Moss, Phoebe Rimmer, and Miranda Hewkin Smith from Homerton College who worked with our students to create the student meet-up experience. A special shout out to Anna Forringer-Beal (LSA), Gates Cambridge Scholar for taking the time to connect with our team while in Cambridge. We appreciate Boaz Walker from University College London for setting up the UCL tours.

We are grateful to Camilla McCusker and Mary Tait, assistants to Mark Malloch-Brown (LSA) for their assistance in coordinating our meeting, and Chloe Britton for helping to set up the sessions at Goldman Sachs. Praise to Mark Harms (LSA) and Rowena Russell for arranging the Old Vic Theater tour and meet and greet.

We appreciate the generosity of Mary Maniaci (LSA) and Rupert Fennelly for hosting our group reception, and the many people who made our London trip memorable.

Read the LSA feature store here.

Click here to flip through the trip program.