MBA/MS Students

The Erb Institute offers students a unique opportunity to develop a set of integrated skills for confronting the complex challenges of sustainability. To be successful, a student must have strong analytic skills and the ability to communicate effectively across traditional academic, political and industrial boundaries. Erb Institute students come from diverse backgrounds, and represent decades of unique experience in a wide range of countries, sectors and industries. This diversity provides a critical educational resource for students, and enhances our ability to develop leaders who are prepared to tackle sustainable development in any sector of society.

For a complete listing of Erb students, please visit the individual class pages linked in the menu at right or use the search below.

First or Last Name:    

Jake Bielecki

MBA/MS Program 2012

Jake is pursuing a career in business development and strategy in the alternative energy space with a focus on technology commercialization. Prior to enrolling at the University of Michigan, Jake worked at Sunoco's Philadelphia Refinery as a project manager, where he led matrix teams in development, design and implementation of multi-million dollar capital projects. Last summer, Jake worked for DTE Energy in the Renewable Energy group participating in both the early-stage and commercial aspects of renewable energy development. Jake earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rutgers University. In his spare time, Jake enjoys exploring and photographing the world, ideally in tandem with either hiking or snowboarding.

Back to Top

Patrick Lord

MBA/MS Program 2013

Patrick joined the Erb Institute to gain expertise in the intersection of entrepreneurship and sustainable development in emerging markets. He believes thoughtful organizational design can drive industry leadership with environmental and social goals as core values. This summer, Patrick is based in Beijing consulting a Sino-US joint venture in sustainable commercial farming practices. In addition, he is designing a global supply chain, developing a China-based distribution network, and creating an investment package for MCM Agriculture Services USA, LLC. Previously, Patrick launched a distribution and marketing company partnering with Shokay International Group, a social venture producing luxury goods made of Tibetan yak down. He developed business with Bloomingdale’s in New York City and launched a social media campaign reaching over 26,000 people. After earning a B.S. in Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles, Patrick spent five years in the commercial real estate sector. At Arbor Realty Trust, he managed portfolio risk, navigated bankruptcies and restructured loans. When not on a conference call to China, he can be found photographing architecture, making dumplings, or snowboarding mountaintops. He is a Fellow of the StartingBloc Institute for Global Social Innovation.

Back to Top

Javier Rivera – Resume

MBA/MS Program 2014

Javier is currently pursuing a career in the renewable energy field. He is particularly interested in the commercialization of renewable energy products and in utility-scale renewable energy project development. Javier truly believes that businesses have the ability to develop innovative renewable energy products that will one day meet our energy needs. In his prior life, Javier worked in R&D in the biotechnology field. His previous work include devising strategies for the formulation of new drug products, increasing the analytical capabilities for a new department, supporting the R&D efforts for the commercialization of a new drug product and leading various efforts to increase the efficiency in data collection and sharing cross-functionally. Prior to moving to Michigan Javier lived in the California Bay Area where he became interested in renewable energy. This prompted him to volunteer on the board of a non-profit that provided weatherization and energy assistance services to low-income residents. It was while on the board that Javier became aware of the potential that renewable energy had to provide clean and sustainable energy. This experience was extremely sobering for Javier and it motivated him to join Erb. In his spare time Javier enjoys snowboarding, kick boxing, dancing and cooking.

Back to Top