{"id":39684,"date":"2026-10-22T14:28:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T18:28:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/alumni\/?page_id=39684"},"modified":"2026-10-22T17:34:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T21:34:26","slug":"yewah-young-alumni-award","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/alumni\/awards-nominations\/alumni-awards-and-athletic-hall-of-fame-program\/yewah-young-alumni-award\/","title":{"rendered":"Roy Yewah '13, Young Alumni Award"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Roy Yewah ’13, Young Alumni Award<\/h1>\n\n\n
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\"Roy<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

His \u201cmost influential\u201d course at K was less about finance than its human ramifications. That fact has made a huge difference in the \u201cafter-K life\u201d of Roy Yewah. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDr. Hannah McKinney\u2019s Financial Crisis class challenged me to look beyond spreadsheets and consider the broad economic and human consequences of financial decisions,\u201d explains Roy. \u201cThat perspective influenced my decision to pursue a career across corporate finance, restructuring, investment banking and mergers and acquisitions.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roy matriculated to K from Okemos (Michigan) High School. He was attracted to \u201cthe school\u2019s combination of top-tier academics and the chance to play soccer.\u201d He majored in economics and earned a minor in French. The former \u201cstrengthened my analytical abilities\u201d and the latter \u201cbroadened my cultural perspective and helped me maintain a connection to my Cameroonian roots.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roy studied abroad in Strasbourg, France, and for his Senior Integrated Project researched the impact of high-frequency trading on individuals compared to firms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He considers playing Hornet soccer a K-Plan<\/em> element as significant as any other.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe relationships teammates formed on the field gave me a genuine sense of community and belonging,\u201d Roy says. \u201cThe competition was important, but I also remember laughter and camaraderie, the working toward something larger than ourselves.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After graduating, Roy worked in the Ford Motor Company\u2019s 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.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roy has received many accolades. He is a fellow of Challenge Detroit, an inaugural member of Ford\u2019s Thirty Under 30 program, a finalist for Crain\u2019s Detroit Business<\/em> Twenty in Their 20s, and a fellow of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s iMentor, a program that helps high school students from underserved areas get into their first-choice colleges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cK gave me the confidence to enter environments where I might not initially see many people with my background,\u201d says Roy. \u201cAs someone born in Cameroon and raised in Michigan, I learned to view my experiences and identity as strengths. The College\u2019s emphasis on global understanding, critical thinking and learning through experience continues to influence how I work, lead and build relationships.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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