Lily Peterson
University of Wisconsin School of Business
“A bookworm, compassionate friend, and fearless competitor—leading with heart and building supportive, motivated communities.”
Fun fact about yourself: I am an avid Formula 1 Racing fan!
Hometown: Minnetonka, Minnesota
High School: Minnetonka High School
Major: Supply Chain Management, Operations and Technology Management, Risk Management and Insurance
Minor: Consulting
Favorite Business Course: RMI 300: Principles of Risk Management. This class caused me to add RMI as my third major!
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
Badger Consulting: Executive Advisor (2025), President (2024), Vice President of Administration (2023), Project Manager (2022-24), Director of Compliance (2022)
WISE (Women Impacting Supply Chain Excellence): Vice President of Operations (2024-25) Undergraduate Admissions Ambassador (2022-25)
AWESOME Excellence in Education Scholar (2024) Harry Bullis Scholarship (2024)
1st Place and Best Communication and Delivery at Deloitte/WCC Case Competition (2024)
1st Place at Kohler-Wisconsin State Supply Chain Case Competition (2024) Ann L. Stevenson Scholarship (2023)
2nd Place and Outstanding Individual at National Supply Chain Case Competition (2023) Minnesota RMIS Scholar (2022)
Where have you interned during your college career?
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) (2024): Summer Associate
Sleep Number Corporation (2023): Supply Chain and Sourcing Intern
Where will you be working after graduation? I will be returning to Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as an Associate in the Minneapolis office.
Who is your favorite business professor? Verda Blythe is my favorite business professor because of the passion and curiosity she instills in her students. During her Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management course, Professor Blythe’s enthusiasm made even the most complex global supply chain challenges both understandable and fascinating. She didn’t just teach concepts, but instead teaches in a way that made me eager to explore the industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities. I traveled to Norway with Professor Blythe for a global experience trip focused on oil and energy supply chains. Along with our Associate Director Blake Bishop, she created an environment where learning was about engaging, questioning, and understanding supply chain decisions on a global scale.
Beyond the classroom, Professor Blythe’s dedication to her students and to building an inclusive community has been truly inspiring. She helped establish the UW-Madison chapter of WISE, providing an essential space for women in supply chain. Her mentorship, expertise, and unwavering support have not only shaped my academic journey, but have also reinforced the kind of leader and mentor I aspire to be.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? I have learned that intelligence only gets you so far in business. The world is built on relationships and meaningful, long-term connections. I learned this over and over through my projects, communities, and classes.
In every business interaction, empathy and human connection are the true differentiators. Data and strategy matter. At the end of the day, people drive decisions, and people want to work with those they trust and respect. The most successful leaders aren’t just experts in their field, they are skilled in understanding others, fostering collaboration, and creating environments where people feel supported.
This lesson has shaped how I approach both leadership and problem-solving. Whether mentoring students, leading a consulting project, or working with clients, I have seen firsthand that success is rarely about who has the best numbers on a spreadsheet. Instead, it’s about who can bring people together, inspire action, and build relationships that last.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Never shy away from your weaknesses. Embrace self-improvement, tackle challenges head-on, and trust that you are capable of more than you realize. Growth happens when you lean into discomfort, and the key is to push yourself into opportunities that challenge you, even when they feel intimidating.
For me, that challenge was public speaking. As a freshman, I struggled with presenting, but instead of avoiding it, I sought out roles that forced me to improve. I took on leadership positions that required speaking in front of large groups, managed client projects, and eventually competed at the National Supply Chain Case Competition against mostly upperclassmen. Our team was awarded 2nd place, and I received the most outstanding presenter award. That journey reinforced what I now know to be true: skills are built, not innate. The more you push yourself, the more confident and capable you become. My advice to business students is to take the risk, put in the work, and surround yourself with people who support and challenge you. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? I had the opportunity to use generative AI in my operations analytics class to systematically identify the root cause of complex problems. By continuously asking the AI about potential causes and refining our questions, we drilled down to the very foundation of an issue.
This experience changed how I approach problem-solving. I began applying the same strategy in other classes and real-world business challenges and used AI to brainstorm root causes before jumping to conclusions. It helped me think more critically, challenge my initial assumptions, and avoid fixating on preconceived notions. AI became a valuable tool for structured problem-solving, allowing me to explore multiple perspectives and uncover deeper insights.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of the impact I made as Vice President and later as President of Badger Consulting, a consulting club at UW-Madison. When I joined as a freshman, it became my first real community in college. The club offered invaluable hands-on consulting experience with real business clients, but it lacked widespread recognition for the amazing opportunities members received.
As a leader, I made it my mission to expand its reach and create more opportunities for students. By introducing coffee chats and info sessions during recruitment, we increased applications by over 70%. With the support of an incredible board of directors, we strengthened the club with initiatives like a career trek, additional clients, and a structured mentorship program. Today, under new leadership, Badger Consulting is one of the business school’s most successful organizations. But beyond its growth, the most rewarding part has been mentoring younger members. I have been guiding four mentees, leading workshops, and teaching new member training. I am most proud of the supportive and motivating culture we built, one where students can challenge themselves, grow, and find a true sense of community.
Which classmate do you most admire? I have been incredibly fortunate to know and be friends with so many wonderful people. The people I’ve met through Badger Consulting, the Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management, and my job in the admissions office have all made indescribable impacts on my life. I deeply admire each of them.
However, if I must choose one person, it must be the person who has been with me through everything since we joined the same club freshman year. Lauren Schulze is not only one of my closest friends but also someone I truly admire. She is incredibly patient, intelligent, and loyal. I have never seen someone work as hard as she does to support and uplift others.
As a VP in Badger Consulting, she tackled every challenge with dedication and resilience, creating an entirely new process that improved the experience for both members and applicants. Even when facing her own struggles, she continued to show up for others with unwavering support. She deserves immense admiration for her mental fortitude, compassion, and grit. She makes me want to be a better person and I truly cannot thank her enough for her support and friendship.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? My parents have been the foundation of everything I have achieved. Their unwavering support, guidance, and the way they raised me have shaped not only my success but also the person I have become.
My mom is one of the smartest and most compassionate people I know. From a young age, I was inspired by her drive and the incredible things she achieved in her own career. She always challenged me to push myself further, holding me accountable in a way that made me strive for excellence. But beyond ambition, she instilled in me the values of kindness and patience. I have watched her pour her heart into supporting others. Her example has shaped the way I approach leadership and relationships, reminding me that true success is about lifting others up along the way.
My dad is the most selfless and supportive person I know. He has never hesitated to go out of his way for me, whether it was driving me to events, cheering me on at competitions, or simply being there when I needed him. No matter how busy life got, he always found ways to make me laugh and remind me not to take things too seriously. From him, I have learned the importance of putting others before myself, showing up for people in meaningful ways, and being thoughtful in both words and actions.
Everything I have accomplished is a direct result of their love, sacrifices, and the values they instilled in me. Their support has been my greatest privilege, and I can’t thank them enough.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
1. Mentor a student in my high school’s professional studies program, VANTAGE, to give back to the program that kickstarted my love for supply chain. VANTAGE instilled in me a strong work ethic and provided opportunities to develop professional skills that set me up for success in college and beyond. I want to support the next generation of business students the same way I was supported.
2. Work on an international project and work abroad. Hopefully, I will learn a new language in the process!
What made Lily Peterson such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?
“Lily has been a dedicated participant and exemplary leader with the Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management since her sophomore year when she declared the major.
She has served the Badger Consulting Group in numerous leadership roles, including project manager, director of compliance, vice president of administration, and president. Additionally, when the newly established Women Impacting Supply Chain Excellence (WISE) group sought leaders to lay its foundation, Lily enthusiastically stepped up as vice president of operations, ensuring the group’s long-term success.
Lily’s friendly and approachable nature shines in her role as a Program Ambassador in the Wisconsin School of Business Admissions Office, where she welcomes prospective students and their families with warmth and enthusiasm. Her efforts have undoubtedly inspired countless future Badgers to choose UW- Madison.”
Blake Bishop
Associate Director of the Grainger Center
Grainger Center for Supply Chain Management
Wisconsin School of Business
University of Wisconsin-Madison
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