2025 Internship Experiences
About our Internships
In the summer of 2025, Business+Impact’s Summer Fund financially supported the summer impact internships and experiences of 27 U-M students. We’re proud of what we’ve made possible through the years for summer interns interested in working with social impact and sustainability companies.
Business+Impact awarded competitive grants for summer internships to MBAs and BBAs in the Ross School of Business as well as MPP students in the Ford School of Public Policy. MBA funding came from the Give-A-Day Fund, a student-led MBA pay-it-forward fund, and from the Gordon Impact Entrepreneurship Fund.
Click here to see a Flickr album of photos from our 2025 interns.
BELOW, WE SHARE THREE SNAPSHOTS OF SOME OF THEIR EXPERIENCES, PROVIDING A WINDOW INTO THE BROAD EXPERIENCES THAT BUSINESS+IMPACT HAS OFFERED:
Cara Clay (MPP ‘ 26)
Describe the project you worked on for your internship.
During my internship with the SPLC Action Fund in Atlanta, I conducted research on election law, qualifying candidates, municipal election dates across the Southeast, and key community stakeholders. This information supported the SPLC-AF in making political endorsements and identifying strategic opportunities for electoral engagement.
How did your work specifically help deliver social impact through this experience?
My research directly supported the SPLC Action Fund’s mission of advancing racial justice and human rights by identifying promising political candidates in municipalities where 30% or more of the voting-age population is Black. This work helped inform efforts to promote civic engagement and equitable political representation in historically marginalized communities.
How do you predict that this internship will affect your career path?
This internship introduced me to political consulting—a field I hadn’t previously considered. I gained valuable insight into the strategy behind elections and advocacy, and I look forward to applying those lessons in my consulting coursework this fall.
How did the funding you received through B+I improve your internship experience?
The B+I funding was essential in making this opportunity financially accessible. It allowed me to fully dedicate myself to the work without the pressures of finding part-time employment. As a result, I was able to take on more responsibility and have a more immersive internship experience.
What advice do you have for future interns?
For future interns—especially MPP students—it’s important to stay open to opportunities outside of D.C. Some of the most meaningful and impactful policy work happens at the state and local levels. Exploring internships in other regions can offer fresh perspectives and the chance to engage with different communities.
Addison Richmond (BBA ’28)
Describe the project you worked on for your internship.
Grow Jackson is a nonprofit in my hometown, Jackson, MI, whose mission is to increase equitable access to fresh, healthy food. The nonprofit is looking to start a Farm Stop in our city (Jackson, Michigan), and I was tasked with conducting thorough research to prove the economic benefits the Farm Stop would create. For example, I am looking into the impact on housing values, economic development, barriers to entering the farming industry, etc. From there, I reworked the research into marketing material to attract financial and social support. I am also working on developing pro formas and financial projections for the startup.
How did your work specifically help deliver social impact through this experience?
One thing I definitely learned (and proved through my own research) is that building a Farm Stop in Jackson would help local communities in many significant ways. Both farmers and new businesses would have less barriers to enter markets, housing values would rise, local circulation of revenue would increase, employment rates and tourism would rise, and more. And my research doesn’t even touch on the nutritional and diet-based benefits. By helping start this one business, I have a chance to help people I will never meet and leave my city better than it was before – and to me, that’s the best part of this work.
How do you predict that this internship will affect your career path?
This internship showed me the uniquely perfect way my two passions (marketing and philanthropy) go together. I learned my business skills can expand and strengthen the impact of change-focused companies, and that I can be a voice for those without one. I want to use marketing to help good causes and good people, and I have Grow Jackson to thank for helping me realize this.
How did the funding you received through B+I improve your internship experience?
Thanks to B+I’s efforts, I used this summer to gain valuable, hands-on experience without the financial burden. This support allowed me to earn an income that will contribute towards my college expenses, ultimately turning my internship into a profitable opportunity. Without this funding, I would have had to drop the internship and seek an alternative paid job, which would have limited my professional development and practical learning experience greatly. I have grown so much due to my internship this summer, and I have B+I to thank for that.
What advice do you have for future interns?
Stay open-minded and try new things. It can be scary to do something you’ve never done before, especially in a job setting, but doing so can expand your strengths, expose you to new industries, and grow your professional network. When you learn to love learning and living in the “uncomfortable”, that’s when true growth happens, and that is my advice to future interns!
What was one unexpected lesson you learned during this internship?
There were many topics I didn’t expect to learn about, but did: food assistance programs, nutrition, health and wellness, food deserts, the farming industry, public health, and more. It was a growing moment to learn about how each concept intersects with business, and it was way more interesting than I’d known or expected. In trying something new, I gained insight into new industries and personal passions – a very pleasant, and unexpected lesson.
Divyam Tiwari (MBA ’26)
Describe the project you worked on for your internship.
I worked with 4WKS, a sustainable coffee capsule startup based in Cape Town, through a consulting internship with diiVe. As a mentor to a global student consulting team, I led a strategic market expansion project. We were tasked with identifying the most viable international market among Australia, Greece, Portugal, and Dubai, and creating a roadmap for setting up local compostable pod manufacturing by 2026. My role focused on market analysis, cost modeling, and go-to-market planning.
How did your work specifically help deliver social impact through this experience?
4WKS is on a mission to eliminate single-use plastic pods and promote local, compostable alternatives. Our work helped the company scale that mission globally by identifying where and how to expand effectively. The impact of this project lies in enabling a circular model for coffee consumption and reducing waste in a growing, convenience-driven industry.
How do you predict that this internship will affect your career path?
This experience strengthened my goal of working in consulting with a focus on sustainability and global strategy. It gave me hands-on experience with cross-functional problem-solving, exposure to emerging markets, and an opportunity to lead under real business pressure. These are exactly the kind of challenges I hope to take on in my post-MBA career.
How did the funding you received through B+I improve your internship experience?
The funding allowed me to travel to South Africa and be fully present on-site with the client and my team. It removed financial constraints that might have limited my ability to engage deeply. Being in Cape Town added so much richness to the experience, both professionally and personally.
What advice do you have for future interns?
Lean into the uncertainty. Social impact projects are not always neatly defined, but that’s where the most valuable learning happens. Speak up, ask questions, and take ownership of your part in the work. You’ll grow faster than you expect.
What was your favorite local experience outside of work?
Catching the sunset from Signal Hill after a long workday was a beautiful reminder of how purpose and place can come together. But the real highlight was skydiving over Cape Town—something I never imagined I would do. It was a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone, both literally and figuratively.