Closing the Loop: How Erb Alumni Give Back

When Melissa Vernon (MBA/MS ‘02) came to University of Michigan, opportunities and career paths that focused on her field of business and sustainability were limited.  

“This conversation was not being held on the front page of The Wall Street Journal or in the mainstream press,” Vernon said. “There are a handful of companies that were looked to as leaders in this space, and it was still in its infancy.”

When she graduated, she turned to the fledgling network for support, and found it invaluable. Now, she helps Erb students and alumni make connections and feel welcome giving back their time and insights to the program. 

“I think for us in the sustainability world, many of us don’t have a very straight trajectory in our careers,” she said. “Even as I look back over the 25 years since I graduated, there are so many twists and turns in different industries and functions and roles and management, individual contributors, so we had no idea what was ahead for us. Having alumni now be able to talk to current students is a huge help.” 

When Erb Fellow graduate, Zach Marmet (BA ‘23), learned his job offer had been pushed back by eight months, he didn’t know what to do. “I reached out to the Erb network for advice.” Vernon responded, helping him secure a short-term role with her company. 

Erb alum Joe Garcia (MBA/MS ‘21) also benefited directly from the work of Vernon and other alums and now gives back. Aside from taking part in alumni calls and chatting with students who reach out for advice, he is on the board of the Michigan Climate Venture, a student-led impact investing fund that he helped start with a classmate during his final year. 

“The strength of the program is really in the alumni network, and the alumni network is only as strong as you make it,” he said. 

Erb has only been around for 30 years, so compared to other alumni programs at the university, it’s a relatively small group. Garcia said he tries to make sure the current students don’t have to worry about not having a wide net of potential connections. 

“I have a rule that if anyone from Michigan reaches out, especially if they’re from Erb, I’ll always make time, no matter how busy I am,” he said.