Park Fellows Alumni Spotlight: Michael Chang, MBA ’09

Michael Chang, MBA ’09 is an Airbnb real estate investor and podcast host after a decade in investment banking. Chang sat down with current Park Fellow Luis Arjona-Calogero, MBA ’26 to discuss how to redefine success, strengthen community, and listen to what matters.

Finding the thread

After graduating from Cornell in 2009 into the thick of the global financial crisis, Chang knew the journey ahead wouldn’t follow a straight line.

Chang’s post-MBA trajectory reads like a polished LinkedIn success story: a decade in mergers and acquisitions investment banking at Citi and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, followed by a pivot into Airbnb real estate investing and podcast hosting. But ask him what mattered most over the past 16 years, and he won’t point to titles. He’ll talk about time. Time with his family. Time to reflect. Time spent listening to himself and learning to recalibrate along the way.

Park reflection

Chang describes his experience as a Roy H. Park Leadership Fellow as more than financial support. The fellowship was a foundation. A leadership lab. A community. Surrounded by fellows who were not only high-performing, but deeply intentional. It allowed him to think differently and gain perspective.

The class of 2009 endured the financial crisis, but Chang and his peers stood with optimism and grit. The climb to achieve their goals was steep. However, the community and inspiration enabled them to navigate the economic climate with optimism and gratitude.

Lessons from the long climb

Much of Chang’s insight comes from having seen the mountaintop and knowing when to climb back down. “Don’t be afraid to walk away,” Chang says. “If you’re miserable, if it’s not your mountain, don’t be afraid to walk down and change course.” In an environment that glorifies hustle, grit, and long hours, such ambition can lead to burnout. Chang offers words many professionals can find solace in. As he and his peers shot for the moon in careers deemed intense, Chang realized, with time, that priorities can change. Understanding the traditional grind and career expectations following an MBA, he reflected on those intense years and how they can shape one’s identity. “Sometimes the bravest thing you can do,” he says, “is listen to that voice inside you and make a change.”

Building back community

Today, Chang lives in New York City with his wife, Elizabeth, and two children, Athena and Jackson. Following his career in investment banking, he has embarked on a new chapter of life that combines entrepreneurship, real estate ventures, and hosting a podcast. While his work life differs from his time in finance, one constant remains: his commitment to community. When asked about staying connected to Park Fellows and the Johnson School, Chang lights up. He has played a key role in reviving alumni connectivity by helping launch a Park Fellows WhatsApp group with more than 350 members that’s become the digital thread tying together over half of the more than 20 years of Park Fellows.

“Before, it was hard to reach people,” Chang says. “Now, we have one place where everyone, from the newest grads to those before my class, can connect.” He hopes to see younger fellows keep the momentum going. “The infrastructure is there. We need someone from the newer classes, someone with time and vision, to run with it.” The group has rekindled friendships, promoted career help, and reawakened a sense of shared identity. “Even just wishing someone a happy birthday or sharing a photo of your kids is better than nothing,” he says.

Final advice

As our conversation wrapped up, Chang left me with a few parting words — not polished maxims, but reflections drawn from years of pivots, progress, and perspective: “Don’t get stuck doing something just because you think you should. Listen to that little voice. If you’re miserable, make a change. This is your life. Make it one you want to live.” Chang’s path reminds us that leadership isn’t always about climbing higher. Sometimes, it’s about knowing when to pause, when to pivot, and when to prioritize meaning over momentum. The Park Fellowship planted those seeds, and over time, they’ve shaped a life of purpose, clarity, and community.

About the author

Luis Arjona is in his second year of the Two-Year MBA program in the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. Raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, he attended Texas A&M University and the University of Michigan. Before Cornell, he was an architect in Houston, designing medical facilities, schools, and civic buildings. Now, he’s exploring the intersection of business, strategy, and design.