Cathy Taylor
University of Michigan, Ross School of Business
Age: 48
“Purposeful leader, tennis-loving Brit and curious traveler. Driven by people, strategy, and good coffee.”
Hometown: Ashburn, Virginia (originally from the UK).
Family Members: Husband: Jeffery. Children: Andrew (13 years), Amelie (9 years) and puppy, Leo (1 year).
Fun fact about yourself: I developed a love of traveling after taking a gap year at age 18 and backpacking around the world. I picked grapes for work, swam with sharks, rode motorboats through crocodile-infested waters, cooked food underground, climbed a glacier, and even hitchhiked in Mexico. Along the way, I made fast friends, experienced incredible cultures, and witnessed some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes and historic sites. These adventures gave me the confidence to embrace opportunities to study and work overseas; experiences that have deeply enriched my life.
Undergraduate School and Degree: University of Surrey (United Kingdom) – BSc. Hotel and Catering Management.
Where are you currently working? Verizon Business, Director – Strategy and Business Development.
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles: I actively volunteer at my children’s schools and musical theater productions, helping with events and behind-the-scenes coordination. At Verizon, I mentor professionals across functions and led a Power Crew for the Women of the World program (2024–2025), fostering community and leadership development. At Ross, I launched the “Learning Ladies” WhatsApp group to create connections and support among women in the EMBA30 cohort across both Ann Arbor and LA. Supporting women in business and building inclusive communities is something I care deeply about and actively champion. Outside of work and school, I enjoy playing competitive tennis, skiing with my family, and traveling whenever I can.
Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? Balancing everything during an Executive MBA is tough, but I made it a priority to stay active. While gym time took a hit, I continued playing tennis both socially and competitively, and this winter/spring, three of my teams advanced to sectionals this summer. For context, that’s like the playoffs for amateur adult tennis, where top teams from each league compete for a spot at nationals. It was a fun and fulfilling way to stay active and keep some balance during the program.
What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? Just before starting the Executive MBA program, I stepped into a new role as Business Unit CFO for Verizon Business’s Federal segment. This was a pivot from Commercial Finance to Financial Planning and Analysis, and from Global Enterprise to Public Sector. One week in, Verizon secured a $2 billion federal contract, and I was asked to lead the development of a new financial governance model from the ground up. This included cost tracking, headcount reporting, P&L oversight, and a structure for continuous improvement and risk mitigation. The transparency, data insights, and proactive approach proved so effective that the CRO asked to scale it more broadly.
I’m especially proud of this achievement because I was stepping into a brand-new role, in a new function and business segment, with entirely new stakeholders, I had to lean on others to learn quickly. Success came from building trust, aligning cross-functional teams, and working through challenges together. It was a true team effort from start to finish.
Who was your favorite MBA professor? It’s incredibly hard to pick just one professor, as we were lucky to learn from so many who were both brilliant and genuinely invested in our growth. But Professor Reuven Lehavy stood out during our final semester. His Financial Statement Analysis course was intense and complex, yet he made it accessible through his clarity, well-structured content, and responsiveness. He gave thoughtful feedback, debriefed each assignment to strengthen our understanding, and always took time to answer questions. His dedication and genuine care for his students’ learning truly set him apart.
Why did you choose this school’s executive MBA program? I chose Michigan Ross because it checked all the boxes on my MBA Wishlist: The option for complimentary executive education after graduation was also a great bonus, since I knew I’d want to keep learning. I visited several schools, but once I experienced the warm hospitality and engaging class during an open day at Ross, I knew it was the right fit.
What is the biggest lesson you gained during your MBA and how did you apply it at work? The biggest lesson I took from my MBA at Michigan Ross was the power of diverse perspectives. Working with different teammates each semester showed me how much stronger solutions become when you bring varied experiences to the table. I’ve carried that into my work by making a real effort to involve voices from across teams and organizations.
Give us a story during your time as an executive MBA on how you were able to juggle work, family and education? To juggle family, work, and school, I became a master of calendars, and even then, it wasn’t perfect. I created a shared schedule so my husband and I could keep track of the children’s tennis lessons, musical theater rehearsals, and pickup duty. We blocked out everything from MBA residencies to family vacations to avoid conflicts. During the week, I focused on work and team assignments, while weekends were reserved for study and family. I also made sure my husband had time for weekend golf. He picked up a lot while I focused on the program, and giving him that space mattered. It took planning, flexibility, and a lot of teamwork, but we found a rhythm that worked for us.
What advice would you give to a student looking to enter an executive MBA program? Know your “why”. This should help keep you grounded and motivated when the demands of work, school, and life start pulling you in different directions. Also, try to be intentional about carving out time for study, family, health, and work. Finding that balance isn’t always easy, but it made a big difference when I was able to juggle it effectively.
What was your biggest regret in business school? I wish I had been more intentional about building deeper relationships with classmates I didn’t work with on teams. Between work, school, and family, it was easy to default to the people I knew best. Looking back, I wish I had made more of an effort during breaks, lunches, and evenings to connect with others across the cohort. The times I had were always rewarding and I know there were more meaningful conversations and friendships I could have built. I’m looking forward to deepening those connections through alumni events and staying in touch directly.
Which MBA classmate do you most admire? The entire EMBA30 cohort at Michigan Ross was inspiring; I learned so much from each person, and it’s hard to choose just one. But Jennifer Berne stands out, and I aspire to be just like her. She is first and foremost, a beautiful person: kind, thoughtful, supportive and endlessly positive. Despite facing her own challenges, Jennifer always finds the positive and shows up as an incredible mom, sister, daughter, wife, and student. Jennifer worked hard throughout the program, was a fantastic teammate, and recently stepped into her dream role as president of a college. I’ve learned so many life lessons from Jennifer and feel lucky to call her a friend.
What was the main reason you chose an executive MBA program over part-time or online alternatives? I chose an executive MBA because I wanted to learn in person alongside other seasoned professionals, while continuing to work full-time.
How did you finance your EMBA and what did you do to make tuition and associated costs more affordable? I was fortunate to receive support through Verizon’s Tuition Assistance Program and a Forté Fellowship. I covered the remainder with a mix of federal loans and personal savings. It also helped that Michigan offered monthly payment plans each semester, making the costs more manageable.
What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term goal is to step into a senior leadership role where I can shape strategy, foster high-performing teams, and help organizations grow with purpose and impact. I’m passionate about applying my background in finance and strategy to drive outcomes, mentor others, and build inclusive cultures that empower people to do their best work. Ultimately, I want to help lead an organization that makes a real difference for its employees, its customers, and the communities it serves.
What made Cathy such an invaluable member of the Class of 2025?
“It was clear from her admissions interview that Cathy Taylor was the type of person who would not only thrive in a rigorous and competitive Executive MBA program like Ross but would also be a true asset to her cohort. Cathy has excelled academically. From the beginning, she demonstrated leadership on teams where she was well respected for her subject matter expertise, excellence in researching and analyzing data, and driving others to achieve goals.
Cathy embodies what every organization seeks in executive leadership, as she exudes quiet confidence, presents a professional yet approachable demeanor, and uses strong communication skills and critical thinking to challenge and influence teams, peers and leaders to execute on deliverables.
Cathy started the Executive MBA having just been pivoted from an Associate Director of Commercial Deal Management to a lateral Associate Director of Financial Planning and Analysis. While she was wringing every bit of value from the academic learning, team experience and professional network growth she continued to excel at work and gain recognition from the executive ranks. With one term left she once again pivoted with a promotion to Director of Strategy and Business Development.
Cathy’s entire career has been on an upward trajectory after having held positions with increasing levels of responsibility in scope since her undergraduate degree at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom. We are confident that Cathy will continue to excel in her career and we are proud to call her a Michigan Wolverine and to have her represent the Ross School of Business.”
Donna Humphrey-DeLosh
Managing Director, EMBA Program
Executive MBA Program, Stephen M. Ross School of Business
DON’T MISS: BEST & BRIGHTEST EXECUTIVE MBAS: CLASS OF 2025
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