Emma Tillitski   

University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School

“An aspiring dancer with an affinity for novels, cats and the color pink.”

Hometown: Boca Raton, Florida

Fun Fact About Yourself: Not only did both of my parents get their undergraduate degrees from Carolina, but my dad got his MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler as well. As a young child I even lived in Married Student Housing for his two years in school!

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Virginia, double major in Philosophy and Global Environments and Sustainability

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Silicon Ranch Corporation, Manager of Project Development

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of Kenan-Flagler’s MBA curriculum or programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I was very intentional about choosing a program with strong ties to the energy industry. The UNC Kenan-Flagler Energy concentration is supported by both the strength of the Energy Center and the Energy Club. I had meaningful conversations with Professor Stephen Arbogast both during and after Experience Weekend and his explanation of the opportunities the program would provide solidified my decision to attend Carolina.

What are some advantages you’ve seen in earning your MBA in Chapel Hill? As a UVA alum, I know how powerful a college town can be. School spirit is woven into the ethos of the community. I also saw the physical proximity of both Duke and NC State as a huge draw. In a 30-mile radius, you have three world-class institutions and thousands of students with similar ambitions. The concentration of intelligence is incredible. 

What has been your first impression of the Kenan-Flagler MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best Kenan-Flagler story so far. Every single person I have interacted with has greeted me with warm, welcoming energy and a smile. The communal excitement about this journey and the commitment to support each other are palpable in the air in the McColl Building. My favorite story is an incredibly small moment. Someone in my Legacy group came up to me as the day was winding down and said, “I really appreciated the perspective you shared in our discussion today.” The culture here is one that will hear, see, and respect you and your opinions. Not only that, but also applaud you for sharing them.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Kenan-Flagle? I’m most excited about the global opportunities UNC Kenan-Flagler provides students. I studied abroad for a semester as an undergraduate and the experience had unparalleled influence on both my life and my career. I appreciate how encouraging UNC Kenan-Flagler is about students not only studying internationally for shorter periods of time (Doing Business In courses and Global Immersion Electives) but also doing an exchange for an entire mod or semester in country.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I earned a $500k federal grant for a 3.25 MWac solar project in west Tennessee. The federal government doesn’t give out money easily or without intense scrutiny, so I’m incredibly proud to say I developed a project that was viewed as sound and worthy of federal funds. That project became operational in December of 2022 and has been putting clean energy onto the grid ever since.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? I hope to stay within the energy industry, but hopefully move out of project development into something more strategic.

DON’T MISS: MEET UNC KENAN-FLAGLER’S MBA CLASS OF 2026