Hillary Simmons
University of Michigan, Ross School of Business
“A deep-thinking, creative changemaker who thrives on empowering others and unpacking our world’s driving forces.”
Fun fact about yourself: Cats are my favorite animal, even though I am terribly allergic!
Hometown: Miami, FL
High School: MAST Academy
Major: Business Administration
Minor: N/A
Favorite Business Course: BCOM 369: Effective Business Presentations
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
Affiliations:
Consortium – Competitive Advantage
Ross Summer Connections
Tisch Family Scholarship
William J. Branstrom Freshman Award, University Honors
Accenture Innovation Challenge 2023 Semi-Finalist
PepsiCo Kickstart Leadership Program 2023 Case Competition Winner
SEO Career – Success Intern
Deloitte Leadership, Allyship, and Mentorship Program
Campus Involvements:
BBA Ambassador and Peer Recruiter for Outreach
Economics Head Coach for Ross Academic Success Connections
BlackGen Capital
University of Michigan
Summer Ross Academic Peer Advisor
Vice President of External Relations and Social Justice for the Black Business Undergraduate Society
Community Work: Throughout my time in college, I have volunteered with the national nonprofit Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE). ROSE’s mission is to serve communities through a continued focus on centering the breastfeeding needs of Black families and impacting broader health outcomes across the nation. I also work closely with Reaching Our Brothers Everywhere (ROBE), an entity underneath ROSE that focuses on equipping and empowering Black men to increase breastfeeding rates and decrease infant mortality rates within the African American community. Most of my work there has centered around increasing awareness of ROBE through establishing and maintaining connections among different community-based organizations within the South Florida community.
Where have you interned during your college career?
Summer 2023: Hayfin Capital Management LLP Information Technology Intern – New York, NY
Summer 2024: Deloitte Technology Audit Intern – Chicago, IL
Where will you be working after graduation? Deloitte Technology Audit Analyst, Washington, DC
Who is your favorite business professor? Professor Mary Hinesly is my favorite professor at Ross. She is one of the most positive and unapologetically bold professors I have ever taken a class with. She pushes students to truly dive deep into class content and empowers us with the tools to do better.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Life often doesn’t have an objective “right” decision to make. So many of our experiences depend on our point of view and how we choose to see it. There are very few absolutes in life. Also, what does failure even mean?
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Stay true to yourself and you can never go wrong. Let your inner desires be your main compass. Being in the field of business teaches you that there is rarely an objectively “right decision.” Business, just like your life, is all about balancing competing interests and choosing the right decision for you in that moment.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? Looking back, I am really proud of the way I have learned to navigate ambiguity. When I flew 3,000 miles across the country to begin my college career, there were so many “what ifs” in the back of my mind, including the big one: “What if I fail?” I spent my first year using that fear as a reason to shy away from opportunities. But, as the semesters went on and I had more experiences and opportunities, I began to meet that question with a different attitude: “Well, what if I do fail? Then what?” And now, as a senior BBA, I realize that the answer to that question is that it’s up to you! You can either let it defeat you, or you can try again. On that note, what even is failure? In my opinion, anything can be a success if you look at it hard enough. Failure is how you define it. Maybe you didn’t get that opportunity you wanted, but you learned something! Is that not a success? Throughout my time here at Ross, we have talked a lot about what it means to have a growth mindset and how to navigate ambiguity – and my four years here have taught me how to do exactly that. So, one thing that I would do differently is to realize and utilize the power of perception to my advantage to do so quickly.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? In one of my classes, TO 313 Operations Management, our professors designed an AI-driven chatbot to help us better understand the topics we were learning. One insight I’ve learned from using AI is that it is a tool that everyone should know how to utilize. From generating and refining ideas to organizing our thoughts into cohesive flows, artificial intelligence tools can help us achieve new levels of productivity.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? When I first came to Michigan, I remember liking the idea of traveling to different cities for work, but I never expected that it would truly happen. I am most proud of my choice to go to New York City to intern for a bank during the summer of 2023. It may sound typical for a Ross BBA, but it meant a lot to me. I began my freshman year being afraid to go outside of my dorm after the sun went down. However, I got to a point where I was willingly packing my suitcase to spend a summer by myself in the largest city in the country. From learning how to navigate the subway to immersing myself in diverse cultures and questioning my ways of being, spending the summer in New York City boosted my confidence in so many ways. I had to advocate for myself in ways I’d never had to before, and I learned so many things about myself. I was already used to being away from home, but being in New York City by myself was the most courageous thing I did. During the summer, I made friends and had great experiences, but most importantly it was a lesson in the power of dreaming big.
Which classmate do you most admire? I most admire Maelisa Watkins because she has such a kind spirit. Her spirit fills whichever room she is in, and her commanding presence leaves quite the lasting impression far after she’s left a space.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? I want to thank my mom, Beverly Ann Edwards! She has been my rock throughout my life, being there for me no matter what. She always tells me the truth, even when it’s hard to hear. I admire her determination to overcome adversity, and she inspires me to be the best version of myself every single day. She taught me not only to survive but to thrive! I love her so much!
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? To be a keynote speaker and to meet Carla Harris!
What made Hillary such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?
“Hillary is a standout among her peers. Her relentless curiosity and passion for making a positive impact set her apart. One of her current research projects includes looking at the intersection of consumer privacy rights and financial services. Her desire to understand how business activities in this space can impact society is just one example of how she takes what she learns in the classroom and uses it to broaden her understanding of the world. Hillary always finds time to make a difference in our campus community. Whether it’s her contributions during class or in the admissions office, where she shares her experience with prospective students, Hillary’s willingness to share her time, knowledge, and experience with others is unmatched.”
Lori Rogala
Teaching Professor, Lecturer IV of Business Law
University of Michigan – Ross School of Business
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