The Mike Ilitch School of Business announces the 2023 winners of their signature awards
On November 17, 2023, the Mike Ilitch School of Business will hold its 43rd annual Recognition and Awards Program. This event honors students who are outstanding examples of excellence in academics and career readiness, and friends of the college and alumni who are shining examples in the business community of the values and mission of the Ilitch School.
This year, nine awards will be distributed to the following recipients:
Michigan Executive of the Year Award
Larry Brinker Jr., Chief Executive Officer at Brinker, a group of family-owned and operated commercial construction service companies which are playing a critical role in revitalizing the city of Detroit.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Scott Fisher ‘83, Chief Financial Officer for Ilitch Holdings, Inc. Fisher earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Wayne State University in 1983 and has since had a nearly 40-year career with the Ilitch companies.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hall of Fame Award
Carolyn J. Cassin, President and CEO of Michigan Women Forward, a statewide microfinance program for women entrepreneurs which invests in over 100 low-to-moderate income women entrepreneurs annually.
Emerging Leader Award
Denise Fair Razo M.B.A. ‘20, Chief Public Health Officer for the City of Detroit. Razo leads a ream of 250 healthcare professionals operating 40 services and programs dedicated to protecting and promoting health and wellbeing for Detroiters and was instrumental in Detroit’s response to the COVID pandemic.
Inspirational Teacher Award
Deborah L. Habel, Associate Professor of Teaching in Accounting who is known for adapting examples from her public accounting and consulting career to create comprehensive case projects that develop her student’s abilities to analyze accounting problems.
Outstanding Student Awards
Zachariah Abdulnour, double major in Global Supply Chain Management and Information Systems Management student. A decorated scholar, he is a recipient of the 2023 25 under 25 award, the 2023 R. Gene Richter/Institute for Supply Chain Management Scholar Award, and the 2023 Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Future Leaders Scholar Award.
Aniel Q. Majjhoo B.S. ‘99, M.D. ’05, Medical Director, Neurosciences at McLaren Stroke Network and M.B.A. student. In his role at McLaren Health Care, he found himself making more business decisions as his career progressed, so he returned to the Ilitch School to complete an M.B.A.
Corporate Mentorship Program Founders Award
Christopher Mattingly ‘83, Vice President of Transportation at Stellantis N.A, who retired after a forty year career at Chrystler and strove to implement and optimize innovative technologies to strengthen Stellantis’s North American Supply Chain.
Katie Maple McBride, who is currently the Principal at R3 Communications, and she has had a long career as a communications executive at multiple firms including General Motors. She also works for the LHH International Center for Executive Options as an executive coach, advisor and thought leadership expert.
Christopher Johnson M.B.A. ‘07, actor, storyteller and founder of Calm Clear Connections will serve as emcee for the event at the Roostertail restaurant in Detroit.
To RSVP and purchase tickets, which are $150 each, please use the online reservation system.
For more information, to view past winners or to nominate someone for a future award please visit Signature Awards - Mike Ilitch School of Business - Wayne State University.
-Patrick Bernas, Information Officer III
