Maria Arpino

2017 Mike Ilitch School of Business 25 Under 25 winner

MBA with Concentrations in Finance and International Business expected December 2017

Maria is a recognized leader in her business and civic circles. Her efforts and abilities to build and better the organizations and communities of which she is a part reflect the criteria of a promising businesswoman. Maria's professional experience is multifaceted, and her work ethic shines through her myriad accomplishments on and off campus.

Maria has been illustrating a children's book series called Hockey Families, with books being sold nationally and in two languages. Her work has been published five times, the first being at the age of 18.

In 2015, Maria joined Glass Retirement Strategies Inc., where she began forging her career in the financial sector. Since joining the team, she has been promoted to management and is currently the only female in a management role, as well as the youngest. Her work has earned her an honorary mention in Strathmore Professional's "Who's Who."

Maria is working with the Better Business Bureau to develop research that will educate business leaders on strategies for corporate sustainability. Her work is focused on centennial companies in Michigan and involves interviewing the CEOs of such firms, to quantify the factors that encourage corporate longevity.

Moreover, Maria's dedication extends into community service. A frequent volunteer in the community, she has also designed and managed two fundraisers: "Dream Big" to raise funds for the disasters in Haiti, and "Everly Strong" to raise funds for a local family struggling with congenital hypoventilation syndrome. In 2010, Maria received the United Way's Youth Changing Lives award for her extensive philanthropic service.

At Wayne State, Maria's service involvement has been focused in the Mike Ilitch School of Business. She is a student representative on the planning committee for the first ever Committee of 200 Reachout in Michigan, which brings together globally recognized top women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders with business students and alumnae. The event aims to promote growth and encourage women's leadership in business through a day of education, mentoring and networking.

Maria has also served on the Promotion and Tenure Committee, evaluating and deliberating with the Mike Ilitch School faculty on whether the candidates under review had satisfied the requirements for promotion.

Additionally, Maria is a member of Inforum, which promotes the advancement of women's roles in business and executive roles. She is also a member of Detroit Young Professionals and the Junior Auxiliary Council for the Detroit Institute of Arts. 

"My thirst for knowledge and pragmatic behavior have served me well, and as I advance forward in my professional pursuit, I fully intend to continue representing the Mike Ilitch School of Business in groundbreaking ways," Maria says.

Connect with Maria on LinkedIn