Hearing that a Broad graduate is making waves in their community or industry comes as no surprise to anyone at MSU or beyond. That said, we never tire of seeing the accomplishments, charitable efforts and inspiring work that Broad Spartan alumni are doing.

The Broad College’s successful alumni network is vast in its reach and accomplishments. Here are a few examples of noteworthy graduates who are raising the bar to make business happen and represent the diverse and inclusive environment fostered in the college.

Angie Kelly

Angie Kelly (B.A. Accounting ’98)

After completing her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting in 1998, Angie Kelly immediately went to work with Ernst & Young, a major international accounting firm headquartered in London. She has stayed with EY for the past 21 years at its Detroit location. In September 2018, Kelly was tapped to be the office managing partner, leading a team of 700 people.

On Oct. 3, the Michigan Association of CPAs hosted a dinner for the 2019 award recipients. Kelly was one of the women celebrated, receiving the Women to Watch: Experienced Leaders Award.

She acknowledged how being a Broad Spartan got her to where she is today. “The Broad College not only provided me with an exceptional education but also opportunities for leadership that prepared me for a career in professional services at EY,” she said.

Jim Roberts

Jim Roberts earned an MBA in integrative management from the Broad College in 1996. In 2004, he started his own business management consulting firm, Jim Roberts Enterprises LLC.

Jim Roberts (MBA ’96), courtesy of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council

Roberts has received several awards in recent months, including 2019 Volunteer of the Year from the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, a nonprofit organization that furthers opportunities for minority entrepreneurs and business owners. The Volunteer of the Year award recognizes one individual who is truly devoted to the development of minority suppliers.

Roberts was also recognized by the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, an organization that encourages businesses to adopt more environmentally friendly practices. For his efforts, Roberts was given the Minority-Owned Sustainable Business Award. Go Green!

Priya Balasubramaniam

Priya Balasubramaniam (MBA ’01), courtesy of Spartan magazine

Priya Balasubramaniam completed an MBA in supply chain management from the Broad College in 2001 to complement her background in engineering and take her career to the next level. She currently serves as vice president of operations at Apple, overseeing the company’s global supply chain operations.

Her work hasn’t gone unnoticed. For several years now, Balasubramaniam has been recognized by Business Insider as one of the five most important women in the world.

Balasubramaniam was recently profiled for her success in the fall 2019 issue of Spartan, MSU’s alumni magazine. In the article, she credits her success to the education she received from the Broad College. “MSU was, and still is, one of the best [supply chain management] programs in the country,” she said.

Rohit Khattar

Rohit Khattar (B.A. in Hotel and Restaurant Management ’85) pictured in one of his world-famous restaurants, Chor Bizarre, courtesy of Spartan magazine

Rohit Khattar finished his Bachelor of Arts in Hotel and Restaurant Management — now known as Hospitality Business — in 1985 and has been an active entrepreneur and restaurateur ever since. He founded Old World Hospitality in 1990 and has received universal acclaim.

His portfolio of businesses features a wide variety of options, from Chor Bizarre, his traditional-style Indian restaurants recognized for zany atmosphere, to Indian Accent, a more modern take on the cuisine. Indian Accent quickly established itself as a cutting-edge culinary experience and has appeared on numerous best-of lists, including Time magazine’s “100 Great Destinations in the World.”

Khattar was also featured in the fall issue of Spartan magazine and explained his philosophy for his world-renowned establishments: rather than focusing the restaurant around him, he highlights the food. “It is the cuisine that takes center stage,” Khattar said.

Shashikant and Margaret Gupta

Shashikant (MBA ’75) and Margaret Gupta, courtesy of the MSU Alumni Office

Shashikant Gupta earned an MBA in 1975 and is currently the CEO of Apex CoVantage, an IT service management company he co-founded.

In addition to Apex, he and his wife, Margaret, also created the Gupta Family Foundation. The goal of this nonprofit is to support intervention programs that assist and inspire people to achieve self-sufficiency. They help groups facing challenges of poverty, disability and discrimination.

For their accomplishments and charitable efforts, the Guptas have both been recognized by the MSU Alumni Office with the 2019 Philanthropist Award.

Michael Pruente Jr.

Michael Pruente Jr. (B.A. Supply Chain Management ’07), courtesy of the MSU Alumni Office

Michael Pruente Jr. completed a Bachelor of Arts in Supply Chain Management in 2007 and now has more than 10 years of experience in the supply chain industry, working for companies such as Shell and ConocoPhillips. He is currently the managing director of WG Consulting, a management consulting firm based in Houston.

Pruente has remained highly involved with his alma mater since graduation. He has established two scholarships now offered at MSU and continuously mentors current students by giving career advice and industry knowledge. He has also been recognized by the MSU Alumni Office with the 2019 Young Alumni Award.