It didn’t matter if Gary Schanman worked in the mailroom at MTV, he just wanted to be in the media industry. Gary’s career path may not have turned out exactly the way he pictured it as a 19-year-old advertising major, but one thing he knew for certain was that showing up and having confidence at work matters. Gary is now the Executive Vice President of Video Services at DISH TV and Sling TV. He’s spent more than 20 years in the media and telecommunications industry and has had a front row seat to some of the biggest media disruptions in recent history. Breaking Schemas co-host and Michigan Ross marketing professor John Branch sits down with Gary to chat about the invaluable lessons he learned on dealing with imposter syndrome, the power of an MBA for career pivots, and the importance of adaptability in the media industry. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

From a young age while growing up in Jamaica, Knox Cameron knew he wanted to be a professional soccer player. In order to make that dream come true, he knew it was all about having the right mindset. Knox went on to become one of the top players for the University of Michigan when the program was just getting off the ground. He set the bar for the level of excellence expected on the team, and it’s what propelled him into the MLS. After a shining career in professional soccer, Knox pivoted and set his mind to a new task: being an all-star player in the energy sector for DTE. Knox joins Breaking Schemas co-host John Branch to chat about his soccer career at the collegiate and professional levels, the startup-like environment of the MLS, and how he’s brought that entrepreneurial spirit to the energy world with renewable programs like MIGreenPower. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

Some brands are so iconic to the American family that the passion for them is passed down generationally. Scott Hegstrom knows all about those kinds of brands. With a marketing degree in hand from Michigan State University, Scott started his career journey at the household appliance juggernaut – Whirlpool. Through the company’s innovative leadership development program, Scott went on to lead KitchenAid’s Stand Mixer unit, and learned how to harness the consumer’s passion for a product. Now at NIQ, Scott leverages his market insights in the tech and durables sector. Scott joins Breaking Schemas co-host John Branch to discuss his experiences at Whirlpool, emphasizing the value of rotational leadership programs and direct consumer interaction, what the transition was like to the private equity-funded company SVP Global, and how passion has underlined the disruption in all of his work. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

What does it take to become the Anthony Fauci of the University of Michigan? When COVID-19 hit, Dr. Rob Ernst was tapped to lead the school’s response. As the Chief Health Officer for the university, he prioritized maintaining core critical operations in order to provide healthcare for the whole region. For Dr. Ernst, commitment to caring for his community is key. Dr. Ernst chats with Breaking Schemas co-host John Branch about how mentorship and the courage to take non-traditional paths have shaped his career, his approach to navigating the school’s pandemic response, and how he views commitment as a disruptor. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

For four-time franchise CEO Dave Keil, it’s all about scaling companies for good. A few years back, Dave had a hypothesis that if you applied the same processes and operations of franchising commercial businesses to nonprofits, you could scale them just as successfully, and with massive positive impact. This is how Franchise for Good was born. Before that, Dave spent his career leading and growing businesses like HoneyBaked Ham and Pure Barre where he fell in love with the art of franchising. Now, he’s bringing those lessons to the nonprofit world and unlocking potential for organizations to scale their missions. Dave chats with Breaking Schemas co-host John Branch about his career journey from engineer to franchise CEO, how he has helped grow franchise brands through incubators like Franworth, and how he plans to disrupt the nonprofit space with the franchising model. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

There’s a key component of venture capital that puts the soul in that kind of work: investing in people. Sheel Mohnot, founder of Better Tomorrow Ventures, understands this well when he’s picking which fintech companies to invest in. A University of Michigan graduate, Sheel has built his career on being able to identify founders who are willing to take risks and believe in themselves. Sheel joins Breaking Schemas co-hosts Marcus Collins and John Branch to chat about what investing in people looks like in action, Sheel’s philosophy for venture capital, and how a willingness to try things can lead to the most unexpected outcomes – like a Taco Bell-sponsored wedding. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

As an accounting major trying to break into the media and entertainment industry, Devin Johnson heard the word “no” a lot. But the now-president of Lebron James and Maverick Carter’s SpringHill Company found his way into the creative world through finance jobs. That versatility is sewn into the fabric of SpringHill’s mission; it’s a place where accountants can make creative content, too. Devin says that mindset and culture are built on empowerment. Empowerment from Lebron James gave him the confidence to step into his role, and he wants to instill that kind of empowerment in his employees. Breaking Schemas host Marcus Collins sits down with Devin to chat about his journey from accounting to leading a major content company, how the SpringHill Company fosters a diverse and empowering culture, and why having an “irrational expectation of success” leads to amazing things. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

The Japanese phrase, ikigai, refers to one’s reason to live. Devon Leahy, the global head of sustainability at Ralph Lauren, found her ikigai at a young age on the ski slopes of Vermont: the outdoors and environmental issues. Devon took that passion, merged it with a business degree from Michigan Ross, and began crafting what these corporate sustainability roles could look like for major companies like Walmart and eventually Ralph Lauren. Breaking Schemas hosts Marcus Collins and John Branch sit down with Devon to discuss what a global head of sustainability does, why sustainability needs to be embedded in the fabric of the corporation and not just a PR campaign, and what the future holds for sustainability in the fashion industry. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.* Episode Quotes: How Devon’s childhood in vermont shaped her passion for the sustainability 05:04: I really came into the corporate world and into business with a background and passion for environmental issues. I grew up in northern Vermont. I was a skier. I spent a lot of time outdoors. I started asking my parents why we were seeing forests degraded by what at the time was acid rain that I could see from the ski lift in my little hometown in the northern part of Vermont. And it was those moments, those sort of pivotal experiences, that became touchstones in my career. Communicating impact in the sustainability space 13:29: As our disclosures of environmental and social data become very looked at the same way as our financial disclosures, we have to be very mindful of how we communicate our impact, what numbers we use, what KPIs. And so it's this balancing within the guardrails, like how we still meet and deliver or exceed our stakeholders expectations and continue to find ways that this work creates value. Follow what your internal compass tells you 18:34: I think it's important to talk to outside voices that know you and also give you good advice. But, at the end of the day, you really have to follow what your internal compass tells you. Show Links: Devon Leahy on LinkedIn

When Ann Arbor rap darling Mayer Hawthorne first moved to LA, he thought his hip hop producing and DJing was going to launch him into stardom. But some honest feedback made him realize that maybe his real strength was waiting in a completely different direction. Mayer used his musical agility to put out several smash hit soul records that didn’t sound like anything else at the time. He dared to disrupt his own sound and the result was magic. Breaking Schemas co-hosts Marcus Collins and John Branch sit down with Mayer to talk about his journey from hip hop to soul, why it’s important to bend to the opportunities that come your way, and staying true to your authentic voice. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

Who says prioritizing fun in your career isn’t a smart move? Marketing mogul Karima McDaniel has worked with every kind of beauty product under the sun. She made all the right moves to climb ladders at major companies and build a successful career. But at the top, she found herself wanting more. She wanted to find a job that aligned with her values, and on top of that – she wanted to have fun at work. That’s how Karima ended up in a meeting with actress Tia Mowry who was starting a hair care line centered around textured and naturally curly hair. Now the president of 4U by Tia, Karima joins Breaking Schemas host Marcus Collins to chat about disrupting the beauty industry, making an impact for women of color, and why having fun at work should be prioritized. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.* Episode Quotes: In finding an organization, figure out where your style is celebrated 23:58: I remember having this conversation with myself: where everybody likes me, but I'm no one's favorite. And I think that's a dangerous place to be in an organization because that means you don't have the right sponsorship. And so if somebody has to go out on a limb, is it going to be for you? And if you can't identify who those people are, it's probably time to either go build those relationships or leave because it's going to slow you down in your progress. Embrace the art of self-promotion 27:52: Learning and not shying away from the art of self-promotion—that's not something that is intuitive to me. Like, I feel like it's kind of icky to do it. You hate when other people do it too much, but it is a really valuable skill in figuring out how to do it in the right way. Because I think you'll spend a lot of your early career having your ideas taken from you, or other people get credit because you're not actively claiming credit for the things that you're doing. And so, how do you do that in a way that feels authentic to you and not think of it as a bad thing? And it took me a while to figure that piece out. You have to be your own cheerleader 29:23: There's like that moment when you realize you're sitting in a room; at some point, you're going to realize, "No one actually knows more than me." Again, it's like I hit you at a moment when you're like, "I actually probably know more than most people in this room." Like, what have I been waiting for? And even, I don't know when that starts, but it's like, "Oh, I wish, I wish everybody could un-teach themselves that," as they're kind of starting their careers. Like your perspective is your perspective, and it's valuable. And people do not know more than you. They're just more confident in how they express their ideas. Show Links: 4U by Tia Karima McDaniel LinkedIn

If you ask entrepreneur and former NFL player Dhani Jones what he does for a living, he’ll say he reads the Matrix. His insatiable curiosity and experience in a vast array of worlds has made him a conduit of information. Whether it’s through his investments, his TV shows, or his consulting work – Dhani likes to help people make sense of the world with his unique perspective. A perspective that is deeply rooted in his love for football. Dhani joins Breaking Schemas hosts Marcus Collins and John Branch to chat about his path from the University of Michigan to entrepreneurship and strategic advising, how football has helped shape that journey, and why he believes the key to success is saying yes. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*Most business leaders with good sense would say starting a for-profit company and a nonprofit company at the same time is not going to be a successful business venture. You need to make the money first and then invest in the nonprofit later. But that’s exactly what David Merritt, former University of Michigan point guard, did. David was so invested in the mission of his company, Merit Goodness, he was determined to find a way to make his fashion brand work just enough to simultaneously fund his after-school college planning program for Detroit youth. Since starting the company 12 years ago, they’ve helped hundreds of students graduate high school and go on to college with the resources they need to succeed for the rest of their lives. David tells Breaking Schemas co-hosts Marcus Collins and John Branch that the key ingredient to Merit Goodness is all about shifting perspective on what success means. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

Most business leaders with good sense would say starting a for-profit company and a nonprofit company at the same time is not going to be a successful business venture. You need to make the money first and then invest in the nonprofit later. But that’s exactly what David Merritt, former University of Michigan point guard, did. David was so invested in the mission of his company, Merit Goodness, he was determined to find a way to make his fashion brand work just enough to simultaneously fund his after-school college planning program for Detroit youth. Since starting the company 12 years ago, they’ve helped hundreds of students graduate high school and go on to college with the resources they need to succeed for the rest of their lives. David tells Breaking Schemas co-hosts Marcus Collins and John Branch that the key ingredient to Merit Goodness is all about shifting perspective on what success means. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

What happens when you combine a business degree, a passion for hip hop, and an expert lens on pop culture? Disruptive magic. Music journalist Sowmya Krishnamurthy is the author of Fashion Killa: How Hip-Hop Revolutionized High Fashion. After earning her business degree at Michigan Ross, she moved to New York but wasn’t looking for a typical finance job that many in her cohort were after. She was there for the music. Sowmya joins Breaking Schemas hosts Marcus Collins and John Branch to chat about the years she spent paying her dues in mailrooms and interviewing stars like J. Cole and Travis Scott before they were huge, the importance of finding your authentic personal brand, and how to leverage a bricolage kind of disruption. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

The relationships you build on your career journey can play a crucial role in your success. Whether it’s with mentors, peers in your industry, colleagues, clients, or all of the above – networking is key. But what does cultivating and leveraging those relationships look like in action? Larry Brinker, Jr. is the CEO of Brinker – a family-owned construction company in Detroit, Mich. that builds communities through projects like hospitals, corporate headquarters, sports facilities, stadiums, and arenas. Breaking Schemas co-host Marcus Collins chats with Brinker about his decision to start at the bottom of his father’s company and work his way up to CEO, the mentors he had along the way, and how his industry of commercial construction is evolving in the digital age. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

In 2018, dancer, marketer, and nonprofit founder Grace French did one of the most courageous things a person can do. She came forward and reported the abuse she had endured as a child at the hands of an infamous USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University doctor. But that was just the beginning of her work that’s been shaped by courage. Grace went on to found the nonprofit organization, Army of Survivors, with a mission to bring awareness, accountability, and transparency to sexual violence against athletes. She chats with Breaking Schemas co-hosts Marcus Collins and John Branch about the impact Army of Survivors is having around the world, how she’s applied her marketing education and background to the nonprofit world, and why she believes courage is contagious. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

How do you get to be the second most subscribed YouTube channel of all time with a viewer count larger than some countries? By being bad at it for a long time. Marc Hustvedt is the President of MrBeast, a YouTube channel created by Jimmy Donaldson – who Hustvedt calls the “Kobe Bryant of YouTube.” But before the MrBeast team was racking up over 220 million subscribers, it was a lot of shooting free throws and hoping for the best. Hustvedt took his Michigan Ross education to Hollywood when the YouTube craze was just starting to bubble up. He’s watched an industry take shape over the years and has disrupted and revolutionized how content is created. He joins Breaking Schemas hosts Marcus Collins and John Branch to chat about the early years of YouTube and digital first content, MrBeast’s meteoric rise to superstardom, and why the secret to success may be failing a lot first. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

The first step in breaking from the pack and disrupting the status quo is having the agency to do so. Mike Muse has made a career of doing just that at the intersection of politics and pop culture. He’s the co-founder of the record label, Muse Recordings, the founder and CEO of LawChamps, a TV personality and ABC News correspondent, and the host of the Mike Muse Show on Sirius Radio. Breaking Schemas hosts Marcus Collins and John Branch chat with Muse about his unique and accessible approach to talking about policy, how he ended up at the intersection of politics and pop culture, and why “find your passion” was the worst advice he ever got. *Breaking Schemas is a production of the Yaffe Digital Media Initiative at Michigan Ross and is produced by University FM.*

The only constant in life is change. In some instances, this change is evolutionary, with incremental, almost undetectable steps. But oftentimes, change is revolutionary, causing disruption of the status quo, and those who are able to navigate these changes typically win, while those who are unprepared and unaware, well, they typically don't fare so well. And that's why we created this podcast, Breaking Schemes—to talk with change makers, category challengers, and idea generators who have not only navigated change but, in many ways, have rewritten the rules of the game. Now, in each episode, we'll uncover the decisions they made along their journey to catapult them to the status of disruptor and create tailwinds that propel the success of their career. We'll discuss decisions that they made, their victories, their failures—because we all have failures, the people that helped them along the way, and some of the biggest lessons they learned that got them to where they are today to help prepare future business leaders for tomorrow. I'll be your host, Marcus Collins, Marketing Professor here at the Ross School of the Business University of Michigan, along with my co-conspirator, Professor John Branch. Tune in to see what's next.