Incoming fellows share diverse paths to MBA program

Each year incoming full-time MBA students with an interest in commercial real estate are considered for the many fellowships funded by our generous alumni and partners. High achieving students with strong leadership and academic promise are considered for these financial opportunities that help to offset the considerable investment they are making into their education. This year nine incoming students were awarded fellowships set aside for those intending to focus in real estate. Take a moment to learn more about the Class of 2024 fellowship recipients.

Andrew Makredes – The Randee and Dave Hartzell Excellence in Real Estate Fellowship

Andrew Makredes has worked as a commercial real estate senior appraiser at CBRE Group in Minneapolis, MN, and holds a degree in finance from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Andrew knows and loves the real estate field, and after talking to UNC Kenan-Flagler alumni, decided to come to Chapel Hill to pursue his MBA. He said he is excited to be living in Chapel Hill, where he is as close to the mountains as he is to the beach.

Ashley Ulrich – The Marc and Melissa Bromley Fellowship in Real Estate

Ashley Ulrich has experience in corporate finance and financial services, and graduated from Illinois State University. Ashley was previously enrolled in a master in architecture and historic preservation graduate certificate program. She has always loved architecture and said she knew she wanted the architecture training to learn how to design the built environment but ultimately her goal was to work as the developer. Architecture is also a hobby of Ashley’s, as she said she once designed and built a large-scale playhouse from scratch in 10 days. She hopes to learn more about the intersection of architecture and real estate and would like to work on a development proposal in detail before she graduates.

David Monroe – The Michaux-Reynolds Families Premier MBA Fellowship for Real Estate

David Monroe is from South Carolina and graduated from Clemson University with a degree in construction science and management. David previously worked as a supplier diversity lead and project engineer at DPR Construction. The Wood Center’s Real World Real Estate approach originally piqued David’s interest and drew him to UNC Kenan-Flagler. David said he considers his greatest accomplishment the non-profit organization he founded in 2018 that supports youth in under-resourced communities ages 7-25.

Hampton Young – The Patrick and Cathleen Trask MBA Fellowship

Hampton Young has an undergraduate degree in civil engineering from Clemson University and has worked as a project manager at a civil engineering and landscape architecture firm in Charleston, SC. Working in this field exposed Hampton to the development industry, which prompted his interest in pursuing an MBA. He looks forward to getting to know and being a part of the UNC Kenan-Flagler community. Although Hampton is excited to be in the Chapel Hill area, he said he is originally from the coast and will miss living by the water.

Jason Hull – The Leonard W. Wood Center for Real Estate Studies Fellowship

Jason Hull is a returning Tar Heel, who previously received a degree in economics and political science. Jason began his career at Brown Investment Properties, and recently worked as an investment associate at Terwilliger Pappas. Jason said he hopes to join the Real Estate Fund to help deploy capital for Fund V. He is interested in overseeing the development process from inception to completion.

Katie Hillowe – The Stephen M. Cumbie MBA Fellowship for Real Estate Students

Katie Hillowe has a degree in real estate and urban economic studies from the University of Connecticut and previously worked as a closing supervisor at a real estate law firm in Long Island, NY. Katie looks forward to joining clubs and taking part in case competitions as she learns more about real estate development as a career path. Katie said she loves to travel and hopes to take advantage of some of the global opportunities offered at UNC Kenan-Flagler.

Mariafe Mazurski – The Horey Family MBA Fellowship

Mariafe Mazurski is originally from Peru and has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from American University. With experience as a development associate for AvalonBay Communities, Mariafe is interested in the creativity and impact of the real estate field. From her time at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, Mariafe hopes to improve her leadership skills and learn how to think like an entrepreneur.

Weston Bayes – The David and Ann Flanagan Real Estate Fellowship

Weston Bayes graduated from the University of Central Florida and has worked as a senior associate in real estate strategy and transactions at a corporate real estate firm. When Weston decided to pivot to the field of real estate development, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School became his first choice. Weston said he is already looking forward to the Real Estate Development Case Challenge and becoming a part of the campus community. He is a former White House intern for Michelle Obama’s chief of staff.

Zachary Schultz – The Faison MBA Fellowship

Zachary Schultz previously worked as a project manager and senior associate architect and studied at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Zachary has spent eight years in the Charlotte area primarily focusing on ground-up construction within the higher education and K-12 sectors. He looks forward to getting to know the UNC Kenan-Flagler community and joining the MBA Real Estate Club. Zachary also has experience in entrepreneurship, having co-founded a cigar company while completing his undergraduate degree.