Giovanni Antonio Ramos Loureiro Kizem Rodrigues
Michigan State University, Broad College of Business
“A creative leader whose genuine connection with people turns shared goals into collective achievements.”
Fun fact about yourself: Lived in three continents and speak four languages fluently
Hometown: Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
High School: Laviniense Ensino Integrado
Major: Supply Chain Management
Minor: Real Estate
Favorite Business Course: SCM 470: Integrated Supply Chain Management Capstone (W)
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work, and Leadership Roles During College:
Dean’s List: all semesters
Honors College
Residential Business Community
1st Place Akeron Case Competition at Università Bocconi
1st Place Vulki Case Competition Winner at Università Bocconi
1st Place Ambev Case Competition Winner at Insper
1st Place Honda Case Competition Winner at Universidade Estadual do Amazonas
1st Place FN Formatura Case Competition Winner at Fametro
1st Place Aravita Case Competition Winner at Universidade São Paulo
2022-23 (Freshman):
TEDxMSU – Speaker Team Talent Coordinator
BRASA at MSU – Latino Ambassador
2023-24 (Sophomore):
TEDxMSU – Speaker Team Talent Coordinator
BRASA at MSU – President
Broad International Student Council – Human Resources Chair
Residential Business Community – Mentor
2024-25 (Junior):
Broad International Student Council – Professional Development Chair
Residential Business Community – Undergraduate Learning Assistant for Global Engagement and International Student Support
2025-26 (Senior):
Broad International Student Council – President
International Student Association – Chief Diversity Officer
Residential Business Community – Undergraduate Learning Assistant for Global Engagement and International Student Support
Russell Palmer Career Management Center – Career Peer Coach
Where have you interned during your college career?
Aravita – São Paulo, Brazil – Supply Chain Management Analyst Intern
Antonio Rodrigues & Cia. Ltda. – Manaus, Brazil – Logistics Manager and Administrative Assistant Intern
Foto Nascimento Eventos – Manaus, Brazil – Purchasing and Sales Intern
Where will you be working after graduation? Antonio Rodrigues & Cia. Ltda. – Supply Chain Manager
Who is your favorite business professor? Sean Willis. Sean teaches the Supply Chain Management Capstone. I selected him as my favorite business professor for three reasons. First, he brings 30 years of real-world experience and makes sure every lesson is translated into a corporate context. Second, his teaching style is built around student discussion of current topics. Third, he pushes us to become stronger communicators through presentations. He fact-checks our information, challenges every claim, and gives direct feedback that mirrors the kind of scrutiny we will face from future managers and leaders.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I have gained from studying business is that leadership is strongest when it is rooted in community. At Broad, I learned that success is never built alone. It grows through collaboration, trust, and learning from people with different backgrounds and perspectives. Studying business showed me that academics, recruiting, and uncertainty are all part of growth, but they become more manageable when you support others and allow them to support you. That lesson has shaped how I lead, solve problems, and define success as something more meaningful when it is shared in community.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? My advice to a student looking to major in a business-related field is to stay curious and stay open. Many students believe business school is mainly the place to build technical skills, but what will truly differentiate you is your ability to communicate clearly, build strong relationships, and lead people effectively. Use your classes, student organizations, internships, and conversations with peers and alumni to explore what genuinely interests you. Focus on developing both business knowledge and the people skills that allow you to create impact. You do not need to have everything figured out right away because growth comes from learning, adapting, and investing in yourself over time.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? The one thing I would do differently in business school is trust my instincts earlier. When I first arrived at college as an international student, I felt pressure to follow the safest and most conventional path. Like many students, I looked to mentors and role models for direction, and that guidance helped me build a strong foundation. What I did not realize at first was that their role was to support my journey, not define it.
By my second year, I returned to entrepreneurship, stayed deeply involved on campus, worked in roles that supported other students, and continued excelling academically. That decision taught me that real growth begins when you stop chasing someone else’s version of success and start building your own with courage and intention.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? From taking the brand-new Broad course BUS 491 with professors John Spink and Teagan Dixon, I deepened my understanding of the actual role of AI and the importance of its usage selection.
Artificial Intelligence, at any time, will substitute you if you see it as a resource and not a competitor. For the future, those who focus on knowing how to ask the right questions will outwork those who focus on knowing their answers. Based on its growth rate and precision, AI should be used to increase your productivity. Moreover, in our class, professors taught us how to do extensive tests comparing each AI and its features. From that, we developed our comprehension of when to use and which one to use according to my purpose.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? At MSU, the achievement I am most proud of is being the current president of the Broad International Student Council. This year, we went through a rebuild, transforming the club into a stronger community and career resource for international students. At the beginning of the current academic year, only nine executive board positions were filled. Those nine were the only members in the organization, and we had just $20 in our account. Instead of accepting those limits, I focused on creating momentum.
By rebuilding the organization’s structure, recruiting members, and prioritizing fundraising and sense of belonging, we grew to 35 active members representing 26 countries and raised $19,112 through 14 concessions, three fundraising events, and CCC funding. What makes this achievement especially meaningful is the impact it continues to have. As a result of that growth, we are now taking 20 students to Dublin, Ireland, and Madrid, Spain for one week to visit 14 companies. This initiative was designed to help international and domestic students expand their networks and improve their chances of securing jobs in other markets, due to the visa sponsorship difficulties. I am most proud of this because it reflects my commitment to creating access and opportunity for our Broad community.
Which classmate do you most admire? Samarth Shandilya. Samarth is one of the few people I can genuinely call a great friend, a strong competitor, and an exceptional classmate all at once. We challenge each other constantly to improve, work harder, and aim higher, but there is never pride or jealousy when one of us succeeds. Instead, we celebrate each other’s wins because our friendship is built on mutual respect. What I admire most about Samarth is that he is highly accomplished while remaining humble. Many people compare us as we are both international students and have the same timeline sharing accomplishments, but I think that misses the point. What matters is not who is better or about outworking the other, but if we can work together to serve our community.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? Antonio Kizem Rodrigues, my father. Many things have changed from the time I was just four years old and worked carrying empty boxes to the recycling in our warehouse to now managing my 70-year-old family business’s integrated supply chain. But one thing, my father has always been on my side.
He became the CEO at just 14 years old due to my grandfather’s health conditions. His father would always show him resilience from learning how to write with his left hand after losing his body’s right-side movement, and throwing himself down the stairs, as the store was on the floor under their house, if someone restricted him from serving his family and community.
My father made sure that, even coming from a privileged position in society, I would understand not only price but value. Also, he taught the importance of education, as money in the wrong hands is a waste, while education transforms it into an investment.
I appreciate his patience in teaching and his effort to follow and support me in my process. In a month, when I walk on the stage and receive my bachelor’s, I will know its true value, our family legacy.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
The top two items on my professional bucket list are implementing a culture of gratitude wherever I go and providing real opportunities to underrepresented talent.
I come from Manaus in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, which is isolated by road transportation; it is five hours by flight or 14 days by boat away from other major cities in Brazil. I decided to come to MSU to learn from the utmost Supply Chain world hub and better understand how I could support my community.
Since I arrived at MSU, I replicated this culture in the organizations I have been part of. This led me to both my Undergraduate Learning Assistant position at Residential Business Community and Career Peer Coach at Russell Palmer Career Management Center. These roles combine being a teaching assistant for five classes and meeting over 800 students individually. In the process, I consistently showed them that culture is based on giving back, not to those who helped, but rather for the next generation to build a strong community.
Also, I want to continue creating access for students whose talent is often overlooked. Whether through mentorship, recruiting, career development, or global programming, one of my biggest professional goals is to open doors for underrepresented talent and help others see possibilities for themselves. For me, both items on my bucket list are connected. Gratitude should create action, and success should create opportunity for others.
What made Giovanni such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2026?
“Academically, Giovanni ranks among the top 3% of his class in the Eli Broad College of Business, earning nearly perfect marks throughout his coursework. More importantly, he approaches learning with intellectual curiosity and discipline that extends far beyond the classroom.
Giovanni’s leadership and service within the Residential Business Community (RBC) have made a significant impact on the undergraduate business community. As a BUS 101 and BUS 102 ULA, he provides academic support to fellow students, helping them navigate the foundational courses that shape their academic paths. In addition, Giovanni serves as the RBC Champion for Global Engagement and International Student Support, where he has played a pivotal role in strengthening connections between the RBC and the Broad College’s international student population. His efforts have increased awareness of available resources and encouraged greater participation among students who may otherwise feel disconnected from institutional support systems.
Beyond the RBC, Giovanni serves as a Palmer Center Peer Coach and is actively involved in student organizations, including holding an executive board position in Broad International Student Council. Through these roles, he advocates for international student engagement and helps build inclusive networks that enhance the student experience.
What truly distinguishes Giovanni is his entrepreneurial drive. In addition to his academic and campus leadership commitments, he owns and manages several businesses—demonstrating initiative, resilience, and the ability to translate classroom knowledge into real-world ventures.
Giovanni has fully embraced the opportunities available at Michigan State University and consistently encourages others to do the same. His leadership, entrepreneurial mindset, and dedication to community-building make him an outstanding representative of the Broad College and a deserving nominee for this recognition.”
Sherri Henry
Director, Broad Residential Business Community
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