Published on 02-17-2025
The Daniels School welcomes two new Business Fellows to its roster of senior executives volunteering their time, talent and knowledge to the school’s students and faculty.
Mary “Mickey” Swortzel is an operating partner at venture capital firm Roll Tack Ventures in Indianapolis and an entrepreneur in residence at Purdue Ventures. As a seasoned entrepreneur, Swortzel leveraged her experience leading two successful startups to exit. She was enticed to become a Daniels Business Fellow by her passion for entrepreneurship, leadership, business strategy, and innovation, and her desire to share that passion with the next generation.
Michael Woronoff is a transactional partner in the Los Angeles office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Named nine times by The Daily Journal as one of the top 100 lawyers in California, his notable transactions include the sales of the Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra estates (two of the first large-scale transactions to monetize a celebrity’s name and likeness); the high-profile acquisitions of MGM Studios, Hannah-Barbera, GNC and Neiman Marcus; and the innovative IPO of Ares Management (which became a publicly traded partnership), and subsequent conversion of Ares to a C-corporation, the first time a publicly traded investment firm made the switch.
Woronoff has been lecturing for over 20 years at UCLA’s School of Law, where he developed and teaches the popular course Venture Capital and the Start-Up Company.
The Daniels School’s Business Fellows Program launched in late 2024 and intends to further integrate the real world into the business school’s curriculum, campus events, conferences and research. The modern-day twist on traditional executive-in-residence programs brings senior executives to the Daniels School so they can share their time and talents, says Executive Director of Business Leadership Rich Ryffel.
Swortzel says serving as a Business Fellow aligns with her commitment to continuous learning and development in business.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to learn from faculty and students, gaining fresh perspectives on current business challenges and trends,” Swortzel says. “Collaborating with faculty and mentoring students will allow me to deepen my understanding of new business models and approaches, while also sharing my own experience to help shape the next generation of business leaders.”
She is most excited about engaging with students in ways that bridge theory and practice, specifically through mentoring, guest lecturing and collaborating on entrepreneurship initiatives.
“Additionally, I’m enthusiastic about engaging with the faculty who focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. These opportunities will allow me to provide valuable insights into product development, go-to-market strategies and building sustainable revenue models, as well as contribute to the academic discussions around business growth and governance,” Swortzel says.
“I’m excited to work with faculty to integrate practical entrepreneurial experience into the curriculum and engage with students who are interested in starting or scaling businesses, offering guidance on overcoming growth challenges.”
In her role as a Daniels Business Fellow, Swortzel will draw upon her extensive entrepreneurial experience in founding and scaling companies.
“Throughout my career, I have co-founded and led businesses through various stages of growth, including early-stage development, strategic acquisitions and eventual exits,” she says. “This hands-on experience in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship — from securing funding to building sustainable business models — will enable me to offer practical insights to students and faculty alike.”
Woronoff appreciates the opportunity to help shape the next generation of business leaders.
“I’m particularly interested in fostering their appreciation of the moral case for a career in business,” he says. “The Daniels School’s focus on free market capitalism is both inspiring and imperative. Too few people understand the essential role this relatively young system has had in driving massive, transformative innovation and economic growth.”
He believes in-person connections are the most effective and is excited about on-campus engagement opportunities but will also contribute from his base in southern California.
“I see my role as a bridge between theory and practice. Through mentoring, guest lectures and contributions to programs like Cornerstone for Business, I hope to enrich students’ understanding of business principles and the philosophical underpinnings of capitalism,” he says.
Woronoff says his multifaceted background should enable him to contribute to the business school’s mission of integrating real-world insights into business education.
“My background spans private equity, M&A, corporate governance and academia, allowing me to offer students a holistic view of business, combining practical insights from complex transactions with academic rigor and a strong emphasis on the importance of free market principles.”
Senior executives interested in serving as a Fellow can .
