Erb Institute

Erb Institute Creating a sustainable world through the power of business. The Frederick A. and Barbara M. Erb Institute at the University of Michigan

We want to celebrate and thank our outgoing Erb Undergraduate Fellows Council Co-Presidents, Claire Guo (BBA '26) and Al...
05/27/2026

We want to celebrate and thank our outgoing Erb Undergraduate Fellows Council Co-Presidents, Claire Guo (BBA '26) and Allison Gadlage (BA '26).

Over the past year, Claire and Allison have done a phenomenal job fostering an inclusive, interdisciplinary community at the intersection of business and sustainability. Under their leadership, the council hosted a record-breaking 13 community events, bridging the gap between undergraduate fellows, dual-degree students, and staff.

Reflecting on her time, Claire shared: "Particularly as a Ross major, it has been really incredible to be part of a community of people passionate about sustainability and climate action."

We are incredibly grateful for their dedication and look forward to welcoming them into our vibrant Erb alumni network. We are also thrilled to pass the torch to our incoming Co-Presidents, Jackie Holt and Scotten Maderal, as they lead the council into the next academic year!

Read Claire and Allison's full farewell letters and reflections on our website: https://erb.umich.edu/about/erb-news/farewell-from-erb-fellows-co-presidents

05/27/2026

Before joining SEAS, Abhishek Gupta (MS/MBA ’25) built a successful career as a data scientist, using analytics to solve complex problems and drive decision-making. But growing up in the Indian Himalayas, where he witnessed the growing impacts of climate change firsthand, inspired him to redirect those technical skills toward advancing climate and energy solutions.

Drawn to SEAS for its interdisciplinary approach, Abhishek pursued a dual degree with SEAS and the Erb Institute, specializing in Sustainable Systems and Environmental Policy and Planning. His time at Michigan allowed him to combine his data and analytics expertise with a deeper understanding of energy systems, climate policy, and sustainability strategy.

A defining highlight of Abhishek’s graduate experience was his work as a research assistant under Professor Parth Vaishnav. There, he worked on an Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)-sponsored project building a cost model for a new energy-efficient cooling solution for data centers. Alongside rigorous academic and professional experiences, SEAS also expanded his perspective by encouraging him to explore sustainability challenges across disciplines.

Following graduation, Abhishek now works at Antora Energy, where he helps advance long-duration thermal energy storage solutions that support industrial decarbonization and a cleaner electric grid. His work reflects the very mission that brought him to SEAS: applying technical expertise to real-world climate solutions. Congrats, ! 🎓

Read the full profile: https://myumi.ch/DW1Ex

We're uncovering some gems from the past 30 years of the Erb Institute, like this 2013 class picture!Thirty years ago, t...
05/26/2026

We're uncovering some gems from the past 30 years of the Erb Institute, like this 2013 class picture!

Thirty years ago, the Erb Institute began with a single, powerful vision: that business could be the greatest force for sustainability.

Since then, hundreds of Erbers have walked through our doors and gone out to change the world. This September, we are bringing those three decades of pioneers back to Ann Arbor.

This isn't just a anniversary party—it’s a gathering of minds to celebrate our shared legacy and talk about where sustainable business is going next. Whether you graduated in the 90s, the 2010s, or just last year, your impact is part of this story.

Mark your calendars for this September. We can't wait to welcome you home. 💙💛

It’s the end of an era for our student leadership! 🎓 Radhika Handa and Shivanee Shah just wrapped up their time as Erb S...
05/22/2026

It’s the end of an era for our student leadership! 🎓

Radhika Handa and Shivanee Shah just wrapped up their time as Erb Student Advisory Board Co-Presidents. In a recent interview, they look back on their favorite traditions and share the leadership philosophies that guided them through their dual-degree journey.

Join us in thanking them for their incredible service to the Erb community! 💙〽️

Read the full reflection: https://erb.umich.edu/about/erb-news/the-value-of-community-reflections-from-erb-dual-degree-student-leadership

From the shores of Lake Michigan to the halls of the Ross School of Business and the University of Michigan School for ...
05/18/2026

From the shores of Lake Michigan to the halls of the Ross School of Business and the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, Melissa Zaksek’s journey has always been about stewardship.

As Managing Director of the Erb Institute, Melissa is helping the next generation of leaders tackle the world's toughest sustainability challenges. Whether she’s working with our alumni or mentoring current students, her goal is simple: find what’s in everyone’s best interest and build it together.

Join us in celebrating Melissa and her incredible work as we mark Erb’s 30th anniversary!

Read the full interview: https://erb.umich.edu/about/erb-news/meet-melissa-zaksek-erbs-managing-director

Join us in celebrating Abhishek Gupta (MS/MBA ’25)! 🌟 Abhishek recently graduated from our dual-degree program and is al...
05/15/2026

Join us in celebrating Abhishek Gupta (MS/MBA ’25)! 🌟

Abhishek recently graduated from our dual-degree program and is already making waves in the climate tech space. Now a Senior Power Strategy Associate at Antora Energy, he’s tackling the challenge of industrial decarbonization head-on.

"I wanted to move into a role where I could contribute in a tangible way to decarbonization," Abhishek says. We love seeing our students turn their passion for the environment into a meaningful career!

Check out the full blog post to hear Abhishek’s advice for incoming students and why he believes "speaking up about the things you care about" is just as important as the work itself. ⬇️

https://seas.umich.edu/news/celebrating-abhishek-gupta-msmba-25-sustainable-systems

05/12/2026

The Value of Community: Reflections from Erb Dual Degree Student Leadership - The Erb Institute sat down with outgoing Erb Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) Co-Presidents Radhika Handa and Shivanee Shah, both MBA/MS ‘26 as they wrapped up their term and passed the torch to the next cohort of leaders. "Community" arose as the key to educational success. Read about their Ross/SEAS experience: https://myumi.ch/NXWgR

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 💙🎓 💛 We are so proud to celebrate our newest Erb Institute graduates. Watching thi...
05/08/2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 💙🎓 💛

We are so proud to celebrate our newest Erb Institute graduates. Watching this cohort grow over the last few years has been an absolute privilege. From late-night study sessions to innovative Impact Projects, you’ve shown what it means to lead with purpose.

Cheers to the new adventures, the bold careers, and the lifelong friendships ahead. The future looks a whole lot brighter with you in it!

“Erb transformed my life,” says alum Miguel Andrés Sossa-Mardomingo (MBA/MS ‘13). Now, he’s creating opportunities for f...
05/06/2026

“Erb transformed my life,” says alum Miguel Andrés Sossa-Mardomingo (MBA/MS ‘13). Now, he’s creating opportunities for future generations to experience that same transformation.

Miguel established the MÁS Scholarship Fund to support a diverse array of future leaders earning their MS/MBA with Erb.

With an initial gift of $100,000, his vision is to grow the fund to $1 million or more—with the power of the Erb community behind him.

✨ Learn more and support the MÁS Fund today: https://erb.umich.edu/about/erb-news/2013-alum-launches-new-mas-scholarship-fund-to-open-doors-for-future-sustainability-leaders

“My recent trip to Accra, Ghana was easily one of the most impactful experiences of my MBA so far."—Saron Mechale, MBA/M...
04/28/2026

“My recent trip to Accra, Ghana was easily one of the most impactful experiences of my MBA so far."—Saron Mechale, MBA/MS ’27

With support from Erb's Coultrap Family International Project Funding, Saron was able to visit Ghana and meet founders and startups on the ground, think critically about how capital flows, how decisions are made, and where the system is falling short. “The experience also made me think about what it means to sustain impact beyond a single trip. For me, that means continuing to engage with the ecosystem.”

Read more about Saron's journey: https://erb.umich.edu/about/erb-news/rethinking-impact-what-a-trip-to-ghana-taught-me-about-sustainable-business

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