Lilly Gullickson

University of Wisconsin School of Business

“An ambitious, intellectual leader of change, and an introverted cat-loving Minnesotan.”

Fun fact about yourself: I am a first-generation student.

Hometown: Eagan, Minnesota

High School: Eastview High School

Major: MHR-Entrepreneurship track and Risk Management and Insurance

Minor: Education and Educational Services

Favorite Business Course: Accounting 100

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Dean’s List – Spring 2021

AVID Tutor – East High School (2019-2022)

WSB Diversity and Inclusion Council – Inaugural member

Black Business Student Affinity Group – Founder and Student Ambassador

Don Lavoie Fellowship – Mercatus Center at George Mason University

Business Emerging Leaders Program – Member of second cohort ever

Queen In You – Member of student organization

Where have you interned during your college career? N/A

Where will you be working after graduation? Upon graduation I will be attending the University of Chicago in pursuit of a Master of Public Policy.

Who is your favorite professor? Jon Eckhardt is my favorite professor because he is passionate about entrepreneurship, innovation, inclusivity, and supporting students. I took two courses with Jon and I enjoyed learning from his expertise of entrepreneurship. I conducted research with Jon and he was very supportive at every step. Jon has been a mentor to me, and I am grateful for his guidance as I explored graduate school.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? There are multiple paths to get to the same end goal. Everyone’s journey looks different and there is nothing wrong with pursuing your individual path. Following your intuition in business is just as important as being strategic.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Take different courses to learn what you like and don’t like. Job shadow and conduct informational interviews with professionals to learn about their roles and see where your interests fit.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? All the different areas of specialization surprised me the most about majoring in business. There are so many different roles in each function of a business, yet they all work together to achieve the goals of the business.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? One thing I would do differently is take advantage of the Accenture Leadership Center and attend the workshops for the business badger badges to begin working on my interpersonal skills earlier on.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of myself for gaining admission to the University of Chicago. At one point I felt it was an unattainable goal, and I am proud of showing myself what I am capable of doing.

Which classmate do you most admire? I admire Kaela Daichendt because of her authenticity, compassion, and determination. Her humble confidence pairs perfectly with her hard-work and high-striving goals. She inspires me to aim high and believe in myself. Not only that, but she is an extremely supportive friend and a genuinely kind person. Everyone should have a Kaela in their life.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? Caitlin Quillen has supported me personally and professionally throughout my time in the Wisconsin School of Business. I would like to thank her for her genuine care, honest feedback, and positive energy. I am very grateful for Caitlin’s constant support and guidance throughout my growth.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. Launch and build my own business
2. Make a difference through education policy

What are your hobbies? I like to paint, meditate, spend time with friends and family, and play with my cat Lola.

What made Lilly such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2022?

“Lilly Gullickson is not the type to sit around and wait for change. She sees opportunities for improvements and creates solutions, rather than complaining or staying complicit.  The best example of this during her time as a Business Badger was during her first year when she struggled to find other business badgers who looked like her. Lilly took the initiative to create an event geared toward Black business students to provide an opportunity to meet each other and build community. Her event was a success and led to the creation of a Black Student Affinity Group for undergraduate business students.  Lilly is a scholar from the Business Emerging Leaders (BEL) program, and will be graduating a year early with a double major in Risk Management & Insurance and Management & Human Resources. She has been accepted to a prestigious graduate school for next year where she will continue her academic pursuits in relation to Business.”

Julie Duffstein
Director of Undergraduate Student Life