01/30/2023
Greg Kaplan ('00) will receive the Distinguished Alumni award at this year's Annual Gala on May 21, 2023. After graduating from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business, Greg began his career at Microsoft where he earned his CFA charterholder designation. Greg then made his way to the Bay Area to join Specialized Bicycles as the Leader of Strategic Finance and Operations. At Specialized, Greg blended his Jewish values based in tikkun olam, together with his commitment to DEI initiatives, with his professional endeavors. Greg deployed Specialized resources and spearheaded efforts to support paralympians at the 2016 Rio Summer games, worked with Forrest Stump, an advocacy organization whose mission is to promote equitable access to physical activities for individual with disabilities, to improve bike fittings for those with disabilities, and even recruited Tom Hanks to get involved. Most recently, Greg rode the final leg of a 1,700-mile Honor Ride dedicated to the memory of six fallen soldiers from a paratrooper unit in Afghanistan with Colonel Cris Kolenda. Greg coordinated the design of a custom-made Specialized bike Col. Kolenda used for the ride. Greg, a DEI champion, mental health advocate, Jewish community supporter, and overall “doer of good,” is now the Senior Vice President of Newfront, an insure-tech company. You can read more about Greg's Honor Ride at https://thejewishnews.com/2022/11/07/an-honor-ride/
