Michigan Ross

Michigan Ross Commencement 2026 Guest Speaker: Jenny Just

Jenny Just, a 1990 Ross graduate and co‑founder of Pig Six Investments, delivered the 2026 commencement keynote, tracing her journey from a chaotic Chicago options‑trading floor to building a multi‑billion‑dollar fintech empire that powers platforms such as Robinhood. She emphasized a “no‑plan” approach: rather than chasing a fixed roadmap, she accumulated tangible skills, embraced unpredictable roles, and let each experience compound like interest. By turning chaotic moments—like the 1992 Chicago flood and a $70 million custodian crisis—into opportunities, she forged innovative business models, including a team‑based trading system inspired by a Wendy’s lunch line. Just illustrated her lessons with vivid anecdotes: the disastrous Fisker investment versus passing on Tesla, the rapid pivot to a proprietary trading firm, and the decision to back Robinhood’s backend in exchange for equity. These stories underscore how calculated risk‑taking, learning from failure, and leveraging simple operational insights can generate billions in profit. For the graduating class, the speech translates into a blueprint: prioritize skill acquisition, treat each role as scaffolding, and remain adaptable as technology reshapes finance. In an era of AI‑driven disruption, her experience signals that building robust fintech infrastructure and a resilient mindset will define the next generation of industry leaders.