Campaign Leadership
Campaign Leadership
Look to Michigan Campaign Co-chairs
The Look to Michigan Campaign Co-chairs are a dedicated group of leaders who are instrumental in guiding and supporting the University of Michigan’s fundraising efforts. These distinguished professionals and passionate advocates for our mission play a pivotal role in shaping the campaign’s vision, engaging key supporters, and ensuring we meet our ambitious goals. With their expertise, leadership, and commitment, they are driving transformative change that will benefit generations of students and advance the university’s mission.
Jeff & Lisa Blau
Jeff (BBA ’90) and Lisa Blau are dedicated philanthropists and business leaders. Jeff is chief executive officer and partner of Related Companies, the global real estate development company, and the chairman and founding partner of energyRe. He has supported the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, including the addition of Jeff T. Blau Hall; Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning; and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute. Jeff serves as a volunteer on several U-M boards, including the President’s Advisory Group, as well as various advisory boards at the Ross School. In 2024, Jeff received the David B. Hermelin Award for Fundraising Volunteer Leadership. Lisa is a founding partner of Able Partners, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage companies in the health and wellness space. Throughout her career, she has prioritized supporting women-led entrepreneurial ventures. Additionally, Lisa chairs the Investor Group of the Leadership Now Project and is a longtime board member of KIPP, a charter school network in New York City.
Nathan & Catherine Forbes
Nathan (AB ’85) and Catherine Forbes’ support for the University of Michigan ranges from athletics to art to medicine. They served on the steering committee for the Victors for Michigan Campaign, for which Nathan also served as chair on the Greater Detroit Leadership Council. Nathan has provided volunteer leadership in all U-M campaigns since 1993. In addition to their significant contributions to the Varsity Tennis Center, Al Glick Field House, Michigan Stadium, the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA), and the Rogel Cancer Center, Nathan serves on the Rogel Cancer Center’s National Advisory Board and Catherine serves on UMMA’s Leadership Board. In 2015, they received the David B. Hermelin Award for Fundraising Volunteer Leadership. Nathan is managing partner of The Forbes Company, a nationally recognized developer, owner, and manager of luxury shopping destinations in Michigan and Florida.
Marc & Paula Howze
Marc (AB ’86, JD ’95) and Paula Howze are loyal donors to the University of Michigan. They have generously given to the Get to Graduation Fund, and have supported the Law School and UM-Dearborn. After serving 12 years as an officer in the U.S. Army, Marc joined John Deere as an attorney and culminated his 20+ year career at the company as group president and chief administrative officer. Marc continues to serve on various boards, including Nationwide Mutual Insurance, the Dover Corporation, and Lincoln Electric. He also serves on the UM-Dearborn National Advisory Council. After receiving her B.S. degree, Paula began her career in banking. Driven by her interest in technology, she later earned her Master of Science degree and became a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Throughout her career, Paula has managed multimillion-dollar technology projects for Fortune 250 companies across various industries, delivering customer value through global work teams.
Brandi & Charles Hudson
David and Meredith Kaplan
David (BBA ’89) and Meredith (AB ’92) Kaplan’s support of the University of Michigan spans more than three decades. Their passion for Jewish and Israeli causes and promoting scientific advances have inspired their support of the Michigan-Israel Research Partnership. The Kaplans helped fund the Michigan Stadium renovation and men’s basketball scholarships, and they endowed the David and Meredith Kaplan Men’s Basketball Head Coach position. They also support the Medical School and the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. David is the co-founder of Ares Management Corporation, an investment management firm. In addition to serving on multiple corporate governing boards, he serves on the President's Advisory Group. Together with David, Meredith leads their philanthropic efforts through the David and Meredith Kaplan Foundation.
Jane Och
Jane Och (BBA ’86, MAcc ’86) began her career at Goldman Sachs and Tiger Management. In 2011, she and her husband, Daniel Och, co-founded Willoughby Capital Holdings, a private investment firm. Jane mentors entrepreneurs through the Tory Burch Foundation and Mentors Plus Angels. She supports various causes through the Jane and Daniel Och Family Foundation, which focuses on hospitals and medical research, education and equal opportunity, and Jewish and pro-Israel causes. She and her husband launched the Och Initiative for Women in Finance at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. At the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, they created the Carole Caplan Lonner Musical Theatre Writing Program in memory of her mother. Additionally, Jane has supported the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and has contributed to the renovation of the Alumni Field at Carol Hutchins Stadium. Jane serves on the Ross School Advisory Board and the President’s Advisory Group.
Richard Rogel
Longtime donor and fundraising volunteer Richard Rogel (BBA ’70, LLDHon ’09) has helped U-M advance cancer care and research, expand access to education, and explore opportunities for teaching and discovery abroad. The inaugural recipient of the David B. Hermelin Award for Fundraising Volunteer Leadership, Richard has been celebrated as a global ambassador for U-M, and served as co-chair of the Victors for Michigan Campaign and chair of the Michigan Difference Campaign. He is past president of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan and has served on many boards and committees, including the President’s Advisory Group and Michigan Medicine Advisory Committee. With his wife, Susan, Richard has made transformational gifts to the Rogel Cancer Center, Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies, and Rogel Scholars Society. Richard is president and CEO of Tomay, Inc., a private investment management firm, and has been an angel investor for many tech- and health-related startups.
Stephen M. Ross
Stephen M. Ross (BBA ’62, LLDHon ’11) made history in 2004 as U-M’s single largest donor and has given generously to the university for more than three decades. In 2008, he received the David B. Hermelin Award for Fundraising Volunteer Leadership. Stephen’s transformative support spans the campus—from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business and Ross Athletic Campus to the School for Environment and Sustainability. In 2017 and 2020, he made additional gifts to the Ross School, including establishing the Related Scholars Fund. In 2023, ground was broken on the new University of Michigan Center for Innovation in downtown Detroit, thanks to a gift from Stephen. Beyond philanthropic support, he has served on myriad committees, including as chair of the Victors for Michigan Campaign. Stephen is the CEO of the real estate development company Related Ross and founder and chairman of Related Companies, one of the largest developers of affordable housing. He is also the owner of the Miami Dolphins.
Amir & Nicole Rubin
Amir (MHSA ’96, MBA ’96) and Nicole (MHSA ’95) Rubin support U-M’s School of Public Health (SPH), including founding in 2023 the endowed Rubin Department Chair of Health Management and Policy, which includes funding to raise the visibility and impact of faculty research, strengthen relationships between students and alumni, and bolster strategic leadership initiatives. They also support the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. Amir is the founder of Healthier Capital, which partners with technology-powered innovators to advance healthier outcomes for all. Nicole is founder and principal of Impact Solutions, LLC, and has worked with Ronald McDonald House Charities as a consultant and advisor for more than a decade. In addition to their significant gift, the Rubins are actively involved with SPH, where Amir serves on the Griffith Leadership Center Advisory Board, and Nicole sits on the Dean’s Advisory Board.