Emily Slaven

University of Wisconsin School of Business

“A Kentucky girl who wears many hats as an aspiring business owner, comedian, and influencer.”

Fun fact about yourself: I lived in China for 2 years, where I fell in love with Chinese culture, cuisine and traveling.

Hometown: Louisville, KY

High School: duPont Manual High School

Major(s): Marketing and Entrepreneurship

Certificate(s): NA

Favorite Business Course: Marketing 424 – Sales class with Moses Altsech

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Badger AKPsi – Community Service and DEI member, Community Service Award

Women in Business – Entrepreneur Award Spring 2021, Fall and Spring 2022. Most Involved Member, Fall 2020

Where have you interned during your college career?

SonderCo Partnerships Intern – Santa Monica, CA (Present)

Cravin’ Slaven – Founder (May 2020 – Present)

Wisconsin School of Business Admissions Ambassador – Madison, WI (2022 – Present)

Whole Foods HQ Fresh Food Production Intern – Austin, TX (Summer 2023)

EatStreet Content Creator Intern – Madison, WI (2022)

Biscuit Belly Marketing and Sales Intern – Louisville, KY (Summer 2021)

MaskTite Marketing Intern – Madison, WI (2020)

Where will you be working after graduation? Undecided!

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I gained from studying business is that I can do challenging things. To be candid, some of my business classes were incredibly challenging for me. Accounting, especially, really made me question my skills and wonder if I was fit for business. I struggled with the content and with overall self-doubt. What I learned, however, is that business is more than difficult exams. It’s about attention to detail, being collaborative and a team player, and having strong communication skills.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Comparison truly is the thief of joy. When you attend a top business school, you’re surrounded by some of the most driven and talented people. There will be peers of yours with jobs at top companies, and connections seemingly everywhere. It’s easy to get discouraged and compare yourself to their journey and success. Work hard when no one’s watching, and I promise you it’s one of the most rewarding experiences. My Papa, my biggest inspiration, would tell me that he never won any awards and he’s proud of his life because of the impact he’s made – it’s one of the greatest rewards there is in life. Also, look at me now. Sometimes kindness and patience do win. Now I get to share this award with my Papa.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? Soft skills matter just as much as the hard skills. Emotional intelligence is just as important as analytical thinking. Business is also very complex – it’s a balancing act between finance, marketing, accounting, and sales. To succeed, you have to understand how all of those parts work together and build a team with strengths that complement one another.

What business leader do you admire most?  Lauren Coulter. Lauren is the co–founder of Biscuit Belly and she is a true powerhouse. She not only has incredible ideas and knows how to perfectly execute them, but she is someone who leads with love in the work she does. She prioritizes giving back to her community and loves doing it. She is a mother, a mentor, a business owner, and she thrives in all those roles. I am lucky enough to have learned closely from her, and that was a pivotal moment in my business career. It’s incredibly admirable to see a woman in business like Lauren, build a unique brand as well as grow and scale it. 

Which academic, extracurricular, or personal achievement are you most proud of? I’m most proud of the impact I’ve made as a mentor to business students from so many different backgrounds. Through my roles as a Wisconsin School of Business Ambassador and a mentor within AKPsi and WIB, I’ve been able to help students personally and professionally. I believe in relationship building and doing so through honest and candid exchanges and being vulnerable. I’m also proud that I built a career for myself early on through confidence and social skills. I got two of my internships just from asking and pitching myself. When I couldn’t figure out how to open a door, I built an entirely new entrance. I see the value that I can provide to businesses, and I use that confidence to motivate me and keep me going to the next thing.

Which classmate do you most admire? Corinne Wright. Corinne was born to be a leader. The best friendships are with people who expand the way you think about the world. Corinne is selfless and patient. She is incredibly passionate about DEI, and even led Women in Business’ DEI as a sophomore. She’s never let her age hold her back because she knows her experiences and passion speak for themselves. I admire her love for others. She’s never spoken badly about anyone. She works hard and deserves all the recognition. The Wisconsin School of Business is lucky to have such a bright and creative student leader at their school.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? My parents are my heroes. Some people don’t ever get to meet their heroes, I’m lucky enough to have been raised in their love and have them as my best friends. My parents made endless sacrifices. They always prioritized my happiness and would do anything and everything just to make me smile and set me up to succeed. They have been my biggest support system. They’ve been there cheering me on my entire life. They taught me that compassion is the most important thing in this world. They taught me to be a leader, to love always, and be strong. I wish I could put into words just how remarkable they are, but every day I think about how strong, supportive, and wonderful they are. Thank you, mom, and dad, for everything, and for being my best friends and my heroes.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? Live and work abroad! Studying abroad opened a whole new world for me, so having experience in international business would be incredible.

Have a career that merges my passions in entertainment and food and beverage with the business world.

What are your hobbies? I love trying new restaurants. I’ve been to restaurants all around the world, and some of my best memories are from interacting with different cuisines and chefs. I even have a food blog (@andforthetable) on Instagram where I share recommendations and reviews. I love to travel and explore new places by meeting people. I love watching films and listening to music. trying out new recipes, and using social media as a way for me to connect with people, tell stories and share advice.

What made Emily such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024? (Please include name and title)

“I’d like to nominate Emily Slaven (senior, Marketing and Entrepreneurship) for the Poets and Quants Best and Brightest Business Undergraduate distinction.  It’s as if the criteria were written specifically with her in mind! Emily has thrived in both her marketing and entrepreneurship majors.  Not only does she have a passion for bringing people together, but quite frankly she’s masterful at it.  Her outlook on the business world is spot-on (and something others should strive to develop); she believes in building meaningful connections and creating a positive impact. Emily has a true passion and drive to strive for the best, and does so in an upbeat, persistent way—yet never at the expense of others.  If anything, she lifts others alongside her, and inspires them. How many students like her have you met?”

Moses Altsech, Ph.D.
Department of Marketing

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