Turning shared values into lasting Miami legacy
At the Kellogg Miami campus, seasoned professionals pursuing their Executive MBA (EMBA) have demonstrated how the school's core values of community impact and leadership with empathy translate into meaningful action. Driven by the Kellogg ethos of team building and connection, EMBA Miami cohorts have created a partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of South Florida. They reached a major milestone in September 2025, when RMHC broke ground on a new facility featuring a room that will bear the Kellogg name.
From values to action: How it all began
The partnership emerged organically from Kellogg's collaborative culture. When the “Community Builders” committee from the EMBA cohort 133 sought ways to strengthen bonds within their group, they turned to community service as an impactful approach — reflecting the values that drew many students to Kellogg in the first place.
“Given that Miami is our ‘second home’ for two years, we wanted to have a positive impact on this community," said Scott Bain ’24 MBA, CEO of VLSI. “RMHC’s ‘meals from the heart’ program was a perfect fit. It served an important purpose, it was fun, it energized the cohort. We saw this as a recurring activity that future cohorts could continue.”
Building bridges across cohorts
The RMHC partnership became a powerful tool for creating connections between “sister” cohorts — groups of students who are on campus at the same time but will graduate a year apart — on the Miami campus. The volunteer activities filled an important gap, since sister cohorts don’t share classes together until their electives begin. Groups of 10-15 students would cook meals and organize activities for families, allowing students from different cohorts to build relationships outside the classroom.
This cross-cohort collaboration has continued with current EMBA Miami students. “Current Kellogg EMBA students in cohorts 141 and 143 have been proud to support the Ronald McDonald House in various fundraisers as we carry forward the torch passed down by prior students,” said Tom Beauchamp ’26 MBA, founding partner of Surge Private Equity.
For some students, the partnership holds deeply personal meaning. “My wife Cayla and I experienced firsthand the incredible support of the Ronald McDonald House during our first hospital stay after our daughter Aubree was diagnosed in 2016,” said Todd Hudson ’26 MBA, general manager at NextEra Energy. “That’s why I'm especially proud to see Kellogg support them, an organization that has meant so much to my family and so many others.”
Professional expertise meets creative passion
The volunteers have leveraged their diverse professional backgrounds in service to the community. Neil Banerjee ’24 MBA, formerly a professional chef, led meal preparation sessions, while professional singer Tamar Smithers ’24 MBA entertained families during a meal. Former major league baseball player Matt LaPorta ’24 MBA “took one for the team” in a dunk tank. Students have even explored offering financial planning seminars for RMHC families — an initiative future cohorts may pursue.
Beyond professional skills, the partnership showcased Kellogg's renowned creativity. From bee and flamingo piñatas representing the cohorts, to gourmet meals and unique fundraising events like dunk tanks and casino nights, the RMHC connection has brought out the creative passions of Miami EMBA students.
A permanent legacy: “Hope Has a New Home”
The fundraising efforts that began organically expanded when students learned of RMHC’s capital project for a new facility. The September 2025 groundbreaking ceremony marked the culmination of years of dedicated work, with EMBA Miami cohorts pledging $10,000 to adopt a room bearing the Kellogg name. Scott Bain and EMBA Miami Program Director Rolando Masferrer participated in the ceremonial groundbreaking.
The new facility will expand capacity for families from around the world seeking specialized medical care in Miami, creating a lasting connection between Kellogg and the city that serves as these students’ home away from home.
“This partnership really demonstrates Kellogg’s spirit of collaboration and community in action,” Bain reflects. “It’s not just about individual success but about bringing people together across cohorts and years to create something meaningful that lasts well beyond our time in the program. That’s the Kellogg way.”