Amy Yowell

Bucknell University, Freeman College of Management

“I am a motivated explorer, always seeking new ideas, experiences and opportunities.”

Fun fact about yourself: Through my travels to more than 60 countries, I have tried truffle ice cream in Croatia, dipped my toes in a natural fish foot spa in Turkey, and visited Paris two weekends in a row.

Hometown: Betterton, MD

High School: Saint Mark’s High School, Wilmington, De.

Major: Managing for Sustainability

Minor: Arts Entrepreneurship

Favorite Business Course: The Strategic Organization

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: I am a student member of the Bucknell University Alumni Association board, for which I received Distinguished Ambassador Award. I am a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, the Mortar Board Honor Society and the National Residence Hall Honorary, an honor society comprising the top 1% of student leaders within residence halls. I am also a member of the Freeman College of Management Student Advisory Board and the steering committee for Biz Pitch, a Shark Tank-style pitch competition hosted by Bucknell’s Small Business Development Center. I am a student ambassador for the National Retail Federation, the largest retail nonprofit in the U.S., and a PRME ambassador assisting the Freeman College of Management’s work as a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Management Education.

Formerly, I was an affinity house leader for the Entrepreneurship & Innovation House, a living-learning community on campus, and won first place and the additional award of most feasible for my idea in Green Tank, the first ever environmental case competition at Bucknell. I have also placed on Bucknell’s Honor Roll every semester of college.

Where will you be working after graduation? I’ll be working as a global technology and operations analyst at Bank of America.

What company do you admire most? I most admire Maryland Fabricators, a steel fabrication company founded by my father at age 23. The company has provided consistent jobs and resources within our community for more than 40 years. Through hard work and going the extra mile, the business has developed a niche of expertise and strong connections built to last another 40 years and more.

Who is your favorite professor? Although I have enjoyed all of my professors within the Freeman College of Management, my favorite professor is Jimmy Chen. I have taken two classes with Professor Chen, an Excel course and supply chain management. What has made him stand out is his passion for Bucknell and his willingness to keep doing more. I worked very closely with Professor Chen on the National Retail Federation Student Association at Bucknell and he always went above and beyond. He would ensure I was not too busy for an additional task and would take on many personally to ensure the club was successful. He even went so far as to offer his own support to allow each club member to participate in all of our activities. Professor Chen is truly passionate about Bucknell University and everything that a management education stands for.

What did you enjoy most about your business school? Being a member of the Freeman College of Management is one of the most exciting experiences I have had throughout my education. As part of the first official graduating class of a newly formed college, I have witnessed lots of exciting changes and opportunities taking place. I was able to take an entirely new curriculum and participate in new activities and excursions developed in these last few years. The most enjoyable part has been having the chance to help shape and guide the experiences of fellow and future students through my role on the college’s Advisory Board. I have introduced speakers, influenced events, and even selected furniture for the new building that will house the college. Being able to leave a lasting impact on the Freeman College of Management during this period of transition has been truly memorable.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I have learned through the study of business is the importance of stakeholders. Customers, employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders have the largest influence on the success of not only a business, but also one’s career and personal life. Finding, forging, and maintaining strong stakeholder connections is vital to the success and growth of every organization. It is this lesson that will propel me throughout my career and life, always pushing me to do better for myself and those around me.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? A degree in business is one of the most diverse and applicable majors you can take. It allows you to learn the language of the business world. With that knowledge, you can better pursue any interest you may have. It teaches you how to succeed both in a career and in your personal life as well. It is truly the best education you could seek out for yourself.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? What is most surprising to me about majoring in business, and specifically my major of Managing for Sustainability, has been discovering new ways to conduct business. Changing trends in triple-bottom-line management demand more holistic and sustainable approaches to business. What is most surprising is that in addition to being the right thing to do from a social and environmental perspective, these new approaches often lead to financial gains as well. It is a very exciting and positive message that gives me hope for the future of business.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of this nomination for the Best and Brightest Undergraduate Business Major because it is proof that all of my other efforts and achievements within the Freeman College of Management have been noticed. I am the type of person who jumps in feet first when there is a need for leadership. I have helped to found new organizations on campus, led honor societies and volunteered my time. I do all of this in the hope of giving back to the Freeman College for everything it has given me: lifelong lessons, lasting connections and unique experiences. I feel much indebted to the college and I try to repay my experience through my extracurricular work. In being nominated for this privilege, my efforts have all been acknowledged and it’s clear that my passion for the college has been truly recognized.

Which classmate do you most admire? I most admire my classmate Ryan Bailis ’21. Ryan and I met as co-leaders of the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Affinity House at Bucknell. Ryan is a Computer Engineering and Management double major who will be completing the five-year program within four years. He has also started his own online business while still attending all of his classes senior year. Ryan is a motivated student who always seems 10 steps ahead of everyone around him!

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would most like to thank my father for my success, not only for providing the opportunity for me to attend Bucknell, but for giving the best advice anyone starting out in college could receive: “Make the most of it.” I went into Bucknell knowing I would never be able to utilize all the resources available to me and live every experience. It is this desire to make the most of these past four years that has driven me to pursue each activity that has ultimately led to where I am today. I feel as if my college experience, and my experience within the Freeman College of Management was a success because I made every single minute count, and this would not have been possible without that initial advice from my father.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? The top item on my professional bucket list is to keep learning. I want to continually push myself in my career to never stop broadening my knowledge and skills. The second top item on my professional bucket list is to start my own business. Growing up in a family business, I have always had the entrepreneurial itch to create something all my own.

What are your hobbies? My main hobby is traveling, and I cannot express how much I love to visit new parts of the world. Other hobbies I have include reading, embroidering and trapezing!

What made Amy Yowell such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2021?

“Amy Yowell has contributed significantly to realizing Freeman College of Management priorities through her leadership in multiple student organizations and on the Student Advisory Board.  What I can speak to best from direct experience, however, is how exceptionally well Amy has embraced collaborative learning in her coursework during her time at Bucknell.  She is a consistently excellent contributor to class discussions and experiences, bringing deep insight into our discourse, and routinely evidencing having thoroughly read, digested, and critically considered the course materials.  Her courage in being vulnerable with her classmates when sharing her thoughts helps to create a class culture in which others are willing to do the same. On peer evaluations, her classmates have consistently described Amy as a leader in the classroom from whom they have learned extensively, and whose way of interacting with others is inclusive and encouraging. She gracefully draws others into conversation, listens actively and respectfully, and motivates them to engage more deeply in our joint learning community.”

Tammy Bunn Hiller
Professor of Management

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