Brianna Norwood
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Gies College of Business
“Adventurous book lover who collects passport stamps, devours stories, and has a TBR list longer than their trips.”
Fun fact about yourself: I have been to 5 countries over the last two years
Hometown: Chicago, IL
High School: Jones College Prep
Major: Supply Chain Management
Minor: International Business
Favorite Business Course: BADM 338: Global Supply Chain Management
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work, and Leadership Roles During College:
- Dean’s List Recipient (Multiple semesters)
- Enactus – Project Associate for Monarch
- Enactus – Project Associate for Phoenix
- Enactus – Project Associate for Echo Me
- Founder and President of Supply Chain Academy
- Facilitator for Early Arrival Program for Fall 2022 and Fall 2023
- Student Ambassador for AME
- Active Member and Chart Chair of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Where have you interned during your college career?
L’Oreal Inc – Clark, NJ, Operations Intern, Summer 2024
Caterpillar Inc – Peoria, IL, Procurement Intern, Summer 2023 – Spring 2024
Where will you be working after graduation? Undecided
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I have learned is that business is a fundamental pillar of society. While many people may reduce business down to stereotypes, none of them capture just how essential it is for any society to survive. Business has been an integral part of establishing global connections, driving economic progress, and creating relationships that transcend borders. The disciplines of business have been permanently woven into everyday life, continuously moving us all forward.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? If I could go back, I would tell myself to focus less on achievement and more on gravitating toward things that I am passionate about. As a freshman, I was consumed by the idea of getting into the most sought-after organization or landing an internship at a prestigious company. It felt like if I didn’t check every box on my resume then I was falling behind. Now, I know there is nothing more rewarding than focusing on things that I am passionate about and aligning myself with opportunities that match my values.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am extremely proud of founding and serving as President of my own organization called Supply Chain Academy. Supply Chain Academy started off as an idea thrown around between me and another friend in my major, as we looked for ways to create additional opportunities for Supply Chain majors. This eventually became the launching pad for SCA.
Supply Chain Academy (SCA) is an organization based in fostering a community of students who aspire to enter the Supply Chain industry. Through advisory initiatives, educational programs, and hands-on learning opportunities, we aimed to familiarize Illinois students with the inner workings of the Supply Chain industry. Now, while this organization has since merged with another organization on campus, the experience of building something from the ground up was invaluable. It taught me such important lessons about leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, all skills that have become foundational to my career and personal growth.
Which classmate do you most admire? I have been privileged enough to have met a lot of amazing people over my college career, but I will always have deep admiration for Monica Milanowski. Monica and I met through an organization called Enactus, in which she served as president. At the time, it just so happened that I was also president of my organization. We bonded over the challenges of leadership and related to being so passionate about something that we really wanted to see succeed. I soon came to realize that Monica was genuinely one of the most passionate people I’ve ever met, extremely kind, crazy smart, and had an aspiring level of work ethic. And above all else, I admired how she carried leadership with such grace. While we were often learning the same lessons together and dealing with similar struggles, I always felt like she seemed to do it with such resilience and poise. I have no doubt that she will go off to do amazing things and I am excited to see the impact she will have on the world.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? There are very few people who are as deserving of my gratitude as Jordan Owens. There is a small list of people who have seen me through both my highest achievements and my most challenging moments, and she has loved and supported me through it all. I don’t think there are enough words in the English dictionary that can truly capture my gratitude for her unconditional love and support. I genuinely would not have come this far without her. Thank you.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? First, I would love to have the opportunity to live and work abroad. Having been fortunate enough to visit other countries, I’ve learned so much about other cultures that are different from my own. However, I believe there is no better experience than being able to fully immerse myself in another country. I know it will broaden my perspective and deepen my knowledge of international business.
Second, my biggest career goal is to make a meaningful impact through my work. Whether it’s having an impact on an organization, improving a project, or leaving a lasting impression on a person, I want to be able to walk away knowing I left my mark. I truly want to make a difference, large or small.
What made Brianna such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?
“I first met Brianna during the first semester of her freshman year at Gies, when she introduced herself and took the initiative to arrange an in-person meeting with me. At a time when students were transitioning back to face-to-face interactions following the COVID-19 virtual education period, her initiative was truly noteworthy. Although she entered college after completing her last two years of high school remotely, Brianna clearly recognized the value of in-person engagement for a full academic experience. During this initial touchpoint, I was particularly impressed by the extensive research she conducted in preparation for our meeting and the thoughtful questions she asked about the BS in Supply Chain Management degree program.
Throughout her undergraduate journey, Brianna has consistently demonstrated a drive for excellence, a natural ability to connect with others, and leadership qualities that are evident after just a short time period. For instance, I clearly recall several speakers referring to Brianna as “excellent and outstanding” during our program’s supply chain immersion to Panama in Spring 2024. I have come to see that this high regard is commonly shared across Gies by faculty, staff, and her fellow students.
Brianna is not only an exceptional student but also a remarkable individual. Given her consistent commitment to succeed, I am confident that she will continue her excellence after graduation. I am extremely proud of Brianna! With this same enthusiasm, I am excited to see all the many things she will accomplish in her future.”
Nehemiah Scott
Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Associate Teaching Professor
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