On April 15, Detroit Mercy held its annual Leadership Slam, held and organized by Kathleen Zimmerman-Oster. This year’s Slam had two former Detroit Mercy alumni speakers, Angelo Vitale and Michael Birney, as they offered an inspirational presentation by offering up their own advice based on their personal experiences on their leadership journeys.
Vitale graduated from Detroit Mercy as a part of the Political Science class of 1980, before attending law school at Wayne State in pursuit of his legal career which led him to becoming the general counsel of Rocket Companies.
Vitale offered up advice based on his career on what it takes to be a good leader.
“Good leaders look at the big picture,” he explained, adding that leaders should consistently uphold their morals and values, making choices grounded in what is ethically right.
Vitale also spoke to the students about how rejection can serve as redirection, using his own experience as an example. After being deferred from the University of Michigan Law School, he enrolled at Wayne State instead, where he landed a clerkship at a law firm. That opportunity ultimately led to him meeting his future wife, now married for 40 years, who was later hired as a paralegal at the same firm.
“Just be where you’re at now and give it all you have,” Vitale advised, reflecting that had it not been for the rejection from Michigan Law, he would never have met his wife. He emphasized that everything happens for a reason, even if it’s not clear at the time, you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
Birney, an entrepreneur, earned his business degree from Detroit Mercy in 2015, where he was also a member of the men’s lacrosse team. He began his professional journey at Ford Motor Company while simultaneously playing professional lacrosse in Cleveland, Ohio. After four years, he returned to Michigan to work as a Google ad strategist. Eventually, Birney joined forces with his former Google boss and an additional co-worker to launch Arbor Growth Marketing Agency, where he currently serves as founder and chief operations officer.
“Remain curious,” Birney advised, emphasizing that when pursuing entrepreneurship or starting something of your own, it’s essential to discover what you’re passionate about and follow that path.
He also highlighted the value of collaboration and strong relationships.
“It’s cliché, but surround yourself with great people, and don’t forget about those people,” he said, stressing that no one can succeed entirely on their own, even as an entrepreneur. Birney added, “You have to have people to help you, you have to have people to support you, and you have to have people to look up to.”
This year’s Leadership Slam proved to be an inspiring and uplifting experience for students.
“As a graduating senior at Detroit Mercy, I’ve definitely been feeling anxious about what the future holds,” student Katie Billelo said. “But hearing Michael and Angelo speak about their journeys gave me a renewed sense of excitement and confidence as I prepare to step into the real world.”
Vitale and Birney expressed their appreciation for Detroit Mercy, particularly the valuable leadership skills they gained during their time there.
“Being a leader means recognizing and navigating those unspoken human interactions, that’s what leadership is,” Birney explained.
Vitale added, “This leadership minor is pretty incredible. I applaud all of you for having such a commendable interest in it.”
