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Michael Davis

Vice President, Taxes Nestlé USA

Practitioner in Residence

UNH M.B.A. 1986


As a senior executive with Nestlé U.S.A., Michael Davis shares his experiences in the boardroom with his students in the classroom. "The things I lecture about are things I’m doing that day, that week, that month, and I’m sharing that knowledge with my students in a way that helps them use that information immediately," said Davis, who also is a graduate of the University of New Haven. "Then I check back to make sure the subject matter is relevant and has a place in their lives."

Davis is a proponent of experiential and applied learning, which are two of the hallmarks of a UNH education. He returned to his alma mater as a guest speaker and subsequently was invited to share his real-world knowledge with more students by becoming a faculty member.

"Anyone can read textbooks, but the university seeks out individuals impacted by change," said Davis. "These individuals then can come into class to discuss topics such as changes in SEC filings, ethics, or risk management from recent natural disasters. Students are asked to think about how they would deal with such issues in their company."

University of New Haven: Michael Davis

According to Davis, he chose the university for its strong reputation. When speaking specifically about the UNH Executive M.B.A. program, he believes the longevity of the program, as well as the quality of its graduates, speaks for itself.

"As a faculty member, I truly love helping our students make the transformational shift from great managers to great leaders."
"Many of them come into the program as subject experts in their specific disciplines and are seeking guidance and assistance in making a quantum leap to add leadership to their career skill sets. I tell my students that they will see a change, and the people around them will see a change. With a degree from the University of New Haven, you don’t have to tell anybody you have a degree — they will know it."