By Anissa Gabbara | Photos by Marc-Grégor Campredon
Being a leader isn’t just about taking charge. It’s about taking up space with courage, confidence, and compassion—when and where it matters most—and creating space for others to follow suit.
There’s a certain kind of energy that lives at the University of Michigan, following every Wolverine of the past, present, and future. Among these Wolverines are inspiring women who possess this energy and then some. They’re discovering groundbreaking solutions to transform lives. They’re engineering the future. They’re upholding democracy through meaningful storytelling. They’re taking center stage. And they mean business.
Leaders & Best spoke with five female students about their past and current leadership roles on campus, how donor support is shaping their Michigan experience, and more:
Yi Ling Wu (Engineering Class of 2025) Autonomous Chief Engineer, M-Fly John Mansfield Scholarship recipient
What does a day in the life of a leader look like for you?
My days are really structured. I purposely schedule classes in the morning or before noon so I can wake up early and get everything done for the day. I like spending the later half of my day in the Wilson Center so I can be with my fellow leads, because I don't want them to feel alone. I’m there with them to talk through problems, figure out technical issues, and learn alongside them.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?
As a female chief engineer, one of the biggest challenges I find is balancing between being seen as a confident leader and as someone who's too abrasive or too aggressive, because I am extremely confident in my ability to lead as a chief engineer, and I kind of have to be. But I'm at the point now where I know if I believe in myself, it's OK. And part of what gets me through is the fact that I know I’m a woman in a leadership position, and I’m really trying to set a good precedent for other women to be in leadership positions like this.
How important has donor support been in your college experience?
Being at Michigan is an incredible privilege, and without donor support, I wouldn't be here at all because I wouldn't be able to afford it. I wouldn't have the ability to dream as big. I'm incredibly grateful that someone decided to invest in me and in my future. And when I can, I plan on paying it forward to all the other female, first-generation, low-income students out there.
Salma Jarouche (Michigan Ross Class of 2025) Co-founder & Co-president, Society of Women in Finance George H. Deuble Scholarship recipient
What does a day in the life of a leader look like for you?
Everyday has its own unique rhythm, but one consistent theme is how I start each morning: with a cup of coffee and a load of gratitude that fuels me for the day ahead. Throughout my day, I prioritize meaningful engagement with members of my community, whether it's with students in the residence halls, my colleagues, or the broader on-campus communities I am part of.
What motivates you?
I am inspired by my belief in the transformative power of leadership and education. Being part of this campus feels like an extraordinary privilege. Reflecting on my journey from my high school days in Lebanon to where I stand now, amidst a plethora of opportunities, feels almost surreal. This journey fuels my determination to contribute to shaping an inclusive and empowering community here. I am also profoundly influenced by the female leaders around me, from Dean Sharon Matusik at the Ross School of Business to peers like Rania Juma, who has also founded a club on campus. Their leadership is a constant source of inspiration, guiding me and many others in making a meaningful impact during our time at Michigan.
How important has donor support been in your college experience?
Reflecting on my journey, I realize the profound impact donor support has had on my academic and personal growth. Being part of the Och Initiative for Women in Finance connected me with Michigan alumnae in the finance sector but also enabled me to establish my initial professional network. I am deeply grateful for the Och family's dedication and efforts in facilitating such a transformative experience, and for the vibrant community of women that emerged from it. Moreover, after transitioning into Ross as a cross-campus transfer my sophomore year, receiving the George H. Deuble Scholarship was incredibly meaningful. It affirmed an alumnus's confidence in and support for my place within Ross, epitomizing the Michigan spirit of giving back.
Naomi Rodriguez (Stamps & SMTD Class of 2025) SMTD DEI Student Coordinator & Stamps Admissions Student Ambassador LEAD Scholar
What does a day in the life of a leader look like for you?
When I first came to Michigan, I struggled to find a community and find people that actually heard me as a whole, so I wanted to be that person for other people. I became a peer leadership mentor for Stamps, and I currently work for the SMTD office as an undergraduate representative because I feel like there is a lack of representation for people of color, especially women of color, in the industry. But a huge focus for me was to highlight Afro-Latinas on campus because there are a lot of us, and I feel like there's not a lot of representation for that.
How did you find your voice as a leader?
I identify as Afro-Latina, and one of the biggest things for me was trying to find that middle ground of understanding my identity and where I fit in, especially with who I advocate for and what communities I work with. In the beginning, it was very hard because I wanted to speak up about certain issues, but I didn't know where my voice belonged. But then I realized that people, regardless of who they are, are willing to listen. At the end of the day, if you just keep speaking your truth, it's going to resonate with somebody.
How important has donor support been in your college experience?
Without donor support, I don't know where I would be. I've been able to come here and just truly experience what I've been wanting to experience as an undergraduate student. The woman who established the scholarship I received, Jane Plasman (AB ’73), connects with me often. Knowing that she was here in a time when many women may not have felt seen, I'm now taking a step with that to make sure everyone can feel seen on campus. I appreciate her wholeheartedly.
Ailish Dougherty (Medicine Class of 2026) M-Home Representative & Former Director of Foundations, Doctors of Tomorrow J. Griswold and Margery Hopkins Ruth Scholarship recipient
What does a day in the life of a leader look like for you?
During my M1 year, as director of foundations for Doctors of Tomorrow, a program that encourages high school students from the Detroit area to go into STEM fields, I would plan a monthly visit for the high schoolers to come to the medical school. I would coordinate all the volunteers, whether it be physicians or medical students across the university, and have them do activities with the students to get them really excited about potentially being in the health care field one day. As an M-Home representative, I represent first-year medical students, coming up with initiatives to improve student well-being and bringing people together outside of academic life.
How would you define leadership?
My Aunt Linda, who is a physician and also my biggest inspiration in terms of female leadership, always says that being a leader is leading from where you are. You don't always have to be the person in charge. You don't always have to be the person who's making every single decision, who gets their name on everything, who's the best at something. You can lead people and motivate people and be a positive role model from wherever you are on the ladder.
How important has donor support been in your college experience?
I wouldn't be here at Michigan without it. I lost my mom a few months before I came to medical school, and tuition, housing, and expenses were the last things on my mind. Receiving the scholarship gave me a little bit of peace of mind and helped me be able to do things that bring me joy, like surrounding myself with a loving community. It also gave me more space to pursue the things that I'm passionate about and take up leadership space in those areas.
Kate Weiland (LSA Class of 2024) Co-Editor-in-Chief (2023), The Michigan Daily Harold O. Warren Jr. Scholarship recipient
What does a day in the life of a leader look like for you?
As a leader, I have the privilege of being surrounded by so many incredibly talented peers every day. At The Daily, I have had the opportunity to work with so many people with different skill sets and backgrounds who taught me so much about journalism, leadership, and, above all, community. While every day looks different, I am always filled with gratitude for the people around me, excitement for the projects we work on, and enthusiasm for what lies ahead.
How important is it that more female college students take on leadership roles?
Female representation, and representation of people from historically marginalized groups as a whole, is essential. In the field of journalism, many women have become pioneers, not only for themselves but for people of color, people with disabilities, people in the LGBTQ+ community, and people who were formerly incarcerated. At its core, journalism is about telling stories, many of which have been overlooked or ignored. The best way to make positive change is by making sure we have leaders of diverse backgrounds who are able to bring new experiences and ideas to the table.
How important has donor support been in your college experience?
As co-editor-in-chief of The Daily, I was working at least 60 hours every week on top of taking my classes and working another part-time job. Without the support of donors and the scholarships that I received, I wouldn't have been able to run for this position. It was a privilege to be able to dedicate my time to doing something I love and building the skills necessary to pursue a career in a field I’m passionate about. I’m forever grateful for the support I’ve received from the university and the impact it has had on my life.
