Emily Johnson

Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management

“Curiosity and goal-driven to explore life fully, embracing every challenge.”

Hometown: Alpharetta, GA

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’ve been to all 50 states!

Undergraduate School and Major: Auburn University, Finance

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: American Airlines, Senior Analyst Lounge Finance & Commercial Strategy

What has been your favorite part of Nashville so far? Why? I enjoy being in the South, with friendly faces everywhere! I also love how walkable the campus is—from class to friends’ apartments, and local restaurants and bars—it feels like you’re in a small town with the benefits of a big city nearby.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of Vanderbilt Owen’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Owen has a strong Consulting placement. It offers a Strategy concentration and a robust Consulting Club to help 1st years prep for interviews. The placement rate at top firms is what solidified my decision to attend Owen, along with the class size and wonderful students and faculty I’d met.

What course, club or activity have you enjoyed the most so far at Vanderbilt Owen? I’ve really enjoyed the professional clubs so far! The Finance Club and Consulting Club have been helpful in meeting others with similar interests, getting to know 2nd years, and learning how to prepare for interviews and my future career. It’s also been great getting to spend time with friends before and after club meetings.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Improving American’s lounge forecast! I had so much fun on this project and was given a lot of freedom from my manager. I tried out different forecasting methods, designed new metrics, and provided insights for my team, helping better predict revenue and staffing. I also was able to work with and learn from American’s Finance department.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? I’m honored to have been selected for the First-year board of Student Government and the Women’s Business Association. Additionally, I am so thankful for the amazing friends I’ve made. From Welcome Weekend, Forte, orientation, and classes, I can’t imagine going through business school without them by my side!

What has been your best memory as an MBA so far? I’ve really enjoyed the football tailgates this year! It’s a great time to catch up outside of class, take a break from studying, and feel like an undergrad again. Afterward, a lot of students will go into the game or watch from a local bar.

DON’T MISS: MEET VANDERBILT OWEN’S MBA CLASS OF 2026

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