10 Within 10 Recognition

2025 10 Within 10: Winston Larson

2015, College of Business Administration
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing: Professional Sales

As senior director of business development at the Small Business Association of Michigan, Winston helps entrepreneurs across the state access the resources they need to succeed. His work fuels the success of over 32,000 small businesses by helping them access the resources, relationships and advocacy they need to thrive.

Winston is known for his thoughtful leadership style and deep understanding of how to align people and ideas. He often shares that one of the most valuable lessons he’s learned is the importance of working with people who challenge and elevate you — a philosophy he brings to both leadership and mentorship.

A marketing major with a special concentration in professional sales, Winston credits his time at CMU with shaping his professional trajectory and connecting him with lifelong mentors, especially Professor Ken Cherry, whose influence continues to guide him today. He values the community that CMU fosters and encourages students not to wait to be great. 

Winston holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from CMU.

We asked our 10 Within 10 honorees to reflect on their time at Central, share some wisdom with current students, and talk about what it means to them to be a CMU Chippewa.

What has been your coolest moment since graduation? The birth of my daughter.

What is your fondest memory of CMU? All the wonderful people I met.

Do you have any advice for students coming to CMU? Don't wait to allow yourself to be great.

What advice would you give to new graduates? You have all the latest and greatest information in your specialty — own it.

What has your work life taught you? How to identify the people I want to work for. 

Why should CMU Chippewas dedicate their time and give back to the university? Volunteering and helping others is some of the most rewarding work you can do. It's currency for the soul.

What has being involved with CMU after graduation meant to you? Mostly fun, reuniting with friends during homecoming mostly.    

What connections have you made through CMU? Ken Cherry, former professor, has been a wonderful connection and we stay in touch to this day. He's always willing to give advice or tell a hard truth.

What people or experiences at CMU helped you succeed? Working collaboratively with people who have diverse methods of thinking at CMU helped me to understand how working collaboratively allows you to create/build something better than you could alone.

What does being a CMU Chippewa mean to you? If it weren't for attending CMU, I wouldn't be in the position I am today. I never would have pursued professional sales as a career path, I wouldn't have ended up in the nonprofit space and doing work that is rewarding, and I feel fulfilled in.