Welcome to the
University of Michigan – Flint Chapter
Our Mission
The Entrepreneurs Society seeks to offer guidance to students to help transform their unique ideas into business ventures. As an official academic student organization at the University of Michigan-Flint School of Management, we exist to foster creativity and innovation by and between the university’s faculty, staff, students, and the community in which we live. This is accomplished by discussion sessions, invited lectureship, practical business-oriented experiences, and research efforts.
Founded in 2008 by Michael Witt, PharmD, JD, the award winning University of Michigan – Flint’s Entrepreneurs Society (Best Student Chapter (2019) and Best New Student Business (2020) Awards) aims to help students develop the connections and professional skills to succeed in business. The Entrepreneurs Society is a creative outlet to help others accomplish their career goals.
We invite you to read all about our accomplishments and activities on this site.
A Letter from Our E-Board
The Entrepreneur’s Society is committed to supporting students in achieving their career goals by providing a strong foundation for growth, exploration, and leadership. Our mission extends beyond encouraging business creation; we aim to build confidence, strengthen critical thinking, and promote meaningful professional development. Through engaging speakers, skill building, and networking opportunities, we create an environment where students can connect ideas with action. By bringing together experienced entrepreneurs, industry professions, and peers, we provide the tools and relationships necessary to turn ambition into opportunity.
Equally important in our commitment to the Flint community. We believe that emerging talent should see Flint as a place to build, innovate, and thrive. By fostering community support and strengthening local partnerships, we encourage students to establish their professional homebase here, contributing to the region’s continued growth. As part of our ongoing expansion, Mott Community College recently established its own Entrepreneurship Society, marking the first step in building a broader intercollegiate network within our community. As this network grows, students also gain opportunities to connect with the larger entrepreneurial network through events such as the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization Global Conference and Pitch Competition. By continuing to expand to neighboring colleges, we aim to create a wider platform for sharing experiences, resources, and opportunities- strengthening collaboration and expanding the impact of student entrepreneurs across the region
Why It Matters
“Entrepreneurship is, fundamentally, the art and science of building profitable systems to help people in ways that other systems do not. The core competency of the entrepreneur is not business acumen or marketing ability but rather empathy — the ability to understand the feelings and needs of others.”
— Logan Allec, Money Done Right
Meet Our Leaders
Learn who is who in our Chapter and learn some new faces before you come to a meeting
Michael Witt, PharmD, JD
Faculty Advisor
Michael Witt, PharmD, JD
Faculty Advisor
A respected Lecturer (LEO IV) in Entrepreneurship and Business Law at the University of Michigan–Flint School of Management, Michael has mentored future entrepreneurs and attorneys for nearly twenty years. As the University’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence, he mentors students across campus in their business development initiatives and assists numerous students and colleagues in developing professional relationships, internships, and collaborative projects. Founder of the Entrepreneurs Society (2008), he wanted to give students a way to connect with other entrepreneurs and create a collaborative environment where students, faculty, and local entrepreneurs alike were able to connect and collaborate together.
Student Executive Board
Victoria Banaszek
President
Natasha Bloom
Vice President
Shane Berkholz
Treasurer
Austin Hall
Marketing Director
Victoria Banaszek
President
Natasha Bloom
Vice President
Shane Berkholz
Treasurer
Austin Hall
Marketing Director
Activities Through the Years
2025 – 2026 UMF Activities
Student Executive Board Victoria Banaszek President Natasha Bloom Vice President...
Read More2024 – 2025 UMF Activities
Student Executive Board Jacob Burgess President Isabella Bupp Vice President...
Read More2023 – 2024 UMF Activities
Student Executive Board Blake Ackerman President Jacob Burgess Vice President...
Read More2022 – 2023 UMF Activities
Student Executive Board Garrett Price President Yuliia Lane Vice President...
Read More2021 – 2022 UMF Activities
Student Executive Board Garrett Prince President Helena Schutt Vice President...
Read More2020 – 2021 UMF Activities
Student Executive Board Fall 2020 Giorgia Pasqui President Ashlyn Summers...
Read MoreEndowment Fund
The UM-Flint Entrepreneurs Society Endowment Fund was created in May of 2014. The fund was envisioned by former President Bryon Killin as an avenue for increased learning opportunities for members. The goal is to utilize half of the yearly interest to fund society initiatives, assist students’ ability to attend conferences and lectures, and provide for a scholarship to be created in the future. The remaining balance of the corpus will be reinvested into the principal, by design, to facilitate continuous growth.
The Entrepreneurs Society at the School of Management offers students the opportunity to network with like-minded peers and work on projects that ignite their passions. This dynamic student club provides mentoring and regularly hosts guest speakers who coach students on entrepreneurship, career development, and leadership.
Gifts to this fund support travel expenses to conferences and events, speaker honoraria, and other activities that nurture the entrepreneurial spirit.