Nate Rhee, ‘24
Global Supply Chain SLP
Stanley Black & Decker, Cleveland, Ohio

Nate Rhee, a 2024 graduate of Michigan State University’s Supply Chain Management program, credits his internship experience with Axia in helping him get to where he is today. He is a Global Supply Chain Associate at Stanley Black & Decker, and has been selected to participate in the Stanley Leadership Program. The two-year program gives emerging leaders experience in three functional rotations: operations supervisor, purchasing agent and demand planner.  

“I am very grateful to The Axia Institute for providing me with my first professional experience in supply chain management,” Nate said. “The trust and responsibility I was given helped build my confidence and set the momentum for my career. Without that experience, I may not be in the competitive leadership development program I’m in today.”

Nate completed his internship as a rising sophomore, working on projects that provided him with experiences that set him apart from other applicants upon graduation. In 2021, under Dr. Bahar Aliakbarian, Axia’s director of research, he helped advance her innovative research in finding potential revenue opportunities from cherry by-products (such as the pits, cherry pomace and tar). These by-products include antioxidants, which are highly valued in cosmetics and skincare products for the many benefits they provide, making them a potentially lucrative revenue source for cherry growers if sold to manufacturers in the beauty industry.

He also assisted in drafting federal funding applications for a smart pill bottle aimed at combating the opioid epidemic. 

Reflecting on his journey, Nate advises younger students, “Don’t doubt your potential. Trust that you’ll learn and adapt quickly, and always say yes to new opportunities.”