Tauber Institute alumni bring their operations expertise to leadership roles in a wide variety of fields, all over the globe. Read about what some of our alumni are doing today, and learn about the impact their Tauber experience has had on their career paths.
MBA and MSE-IOE ‘09
Co-Founder and CEO
MindSynch
With over 15 years of work experience in multinational companies in the USA, Hong Kong, mainland China, and the UAE, Tauber alumna Lin Hou-Moersdorf has become an expert in international business and finance, with a focus on the hi-tech industry. She is the co-founder and CEO of MindSynch, working with other Tauber alumni to make cryptocurrency trading automated and accessible.
What drew you to the University of Michigan?
I worked side by side with engineers on the production line as a financial analyst before joining Tauber in 2007. I have learned that being a better finance requires one to go beyond finance and seek understanding in multiple fields. With a passion for manufacturing, I started to apply some of the ideas in Toyota Way by Professor Jeffrey Liker and decided to join the Tauber program to meet the Professor there.
When you think back on your time as a Tauber student, what stands out?
In my first year of study, I was in the Tauber MBA program, where I met classmates and professors from IOE who drove me to seek deeper knowledge in engineering and manufacturing. Hence I decided to apply for a dual degree program from the second year in IOE.
What are your thoughts on the challenges of cryptocurrency, your current field?
The crypto market suffered its worst month in June this year since 2011. Meanwhile, we have ceased trading for almost three months, as our artificial intelligence currently has not observed a good trading opportunity. Trading sometimes means waiting, patiently. Many friends around us asked me if the price of Bitcoins or Ethereum is ever going to drop to zero. In my world, the answer is no.
Blockchain technology, manifested in cryptocurrencies, is a design of techno-libertarian norms and values, namely, freedom, liberty, and autonomy. Hence, major cryptocurrencies have their utilization possibilities to allocate digital value through the generation of tokens. The technology behind is ever improving. For example, the Ethereum’s Merge right now, the transition from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake, is expected to reduce its power consumption by nearly 99.5%, resulting in upgraded efficiency using Ethereum in digital transactions. Whenever there is a purpose, there is a value. How to manage the risk and fluctuations of trading in the ever-changing crypto market is our focus, simply put, seeking the best timing to sell the greed and buy the fear.
What lessons did you learn while at the Tauber Institute that have stuck with you?
In our IPD (Integrated Product Development) project, I thought I could assume a leadership role directly coming from the business school, but later I was humbled to see how little I could drive without truly being engaged in the engineering details.
In what ways did your Tauber experience shape the professional that you are now?
The Tauber program has granted me a closely knitted community, where I can seek mentorship, professional support, and friendship. Professor Roman Kapuscinski and Diana Crossley have always been there for me even when I came up with the craziest ideas to pursue. My current business partner is a seasoned Tauber alumni. My husband worked as a Tauber guest student for his MBA summer internship. My best friend as well as my kids' godfather is also from my Tauber class.
Since I graduated from Tauber, I widened my roles from finance to manufacturing planning, business strategy, and now co-founding our own company in cryptocurrency trading services. Tauber has taught me to be flexible in choices, humble in people, never afraid of making mistakes, and open to new opportunities.
What recurring principles do you see showing up in your career?
RISE - Respect, Integrity, Safety and Empathy. These are the principles I hold dearly for both my professional and personal life. I also ask my young children to follow RISE.
What advice do you have for current Tauber students?
Time is short and school is your best arena to test your hypothesis - think more about new challenges and less about what other people think about you.
What would fellow alums be surprised to know about you?
I came from a classic Chinese family but I did not know how to properly use chopsticks till I was 22 years old.
Profile published August 2022.
Tauber alumni bring their operations expertise to leadership roles in a wide variety of fields, all over the globe. Read about what our alumni are doing today, and learn about the impact their Tauber experience has had on their career paths.