Roy Yewah ’13, Young Alumni Award
His “most influential” course at K was less about finance than its human ramifications. That fact has made a huge difference in the “after-K life” of Roy Yewah.
“Dr. Hannah McKinney’s Financial Crisis class challenged me to look beyond spreadsheets and consider the broad economic and human consequences of financial decisions,” explains Roy. “That perspective influenced my decision to pursue a career across corporate finance, restructuring, investment banking and mergers and acquisitions.”
Roy matriculated to K from Okemos (Michigan) High School. He was attracted to “the school’s combination of top-tier academics and the chance to play soccer.” He majored in economics and earned a minor in French. The former “strengthened my analytical abilities” and the latter “broadened my cultural perspective and helped me maintain a connection to my Cameroonian roots.”
Roy studied abroad in Strasbourg, France, and for his Senior Integrated Project researched the impact of high-frequency trading on individuals compared to firms.
He considers playing Hornet soccer a K-Plan element as significant as any other.
“The relationships teammates formed on the field gave me a genuine sense of community and belonging,” Roy says. “The competition was important, but I also remember laughter and camaraderie, the working toward something larger than ourselves.”
After graduating, Roy worked in the Ford Motor Company’s financial rotational program. He left Ford to earn his MBA (University of Michigan) and pivoted to investment banking. He worked for Alvarez & Marsal and Credit Suisse.
Today he is a managing director with Evergreen Mergers & Acquisitions. There he advises client businesses on growth opportunities, business valuation, strategy alternatives and sales potential.
Roy has received many accolades. He is a fellow of Challenge Detroit, an inaugural member of Ford’s Thirty Under 30 program, a finalist for Crain’s Detroit Business Twenty in Their 20s, and a fellow of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition.
In Chicago, where he currently lives and works, Roy founded the Soulful Supper Club, a dinner series that highlights emerging Black chefs and creates opportunities for people to build relationships through food and community. He volunteers for Chicago’s iMentor, a program that helps high school students from underserved areas get into their first-choice colleges.
“K gave me the confidence to enter environments where I might not initially see many people with my background,” says Roy. “As someone born in Cameroon and raised in Michigan, I learned to view my experiences and identity as strengths. The College’s emphasis on global understanding, critical thinking and learning through experience continues to influence how I work, lead and build relationships.”