Emily Watts served in roles at Specialized Bicycle Components and the NCAA before joining the Oregon MBA program. She came to the Lundquist College’s Warsaw Sports Marketing Center to gain the necessary skill set and experience to return to the sports industry and make a larger impact.

She also had a target company in mind—the premier sports marketing talent agency Wasserman.

“I’m passionate and determined to help drive the future state of sport to be more equitable for all its players,” she said.

During her time with the Warsaw Center, Watts served as student liaison to the Warsaw Advisory Board and vice president of academics for the MBA Student Association. She also earned the Outstanding MBA student award.

“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for my Oregon MBA experience because of the people it’s connected me to, the projects I’ve collaborated on, and the personal growth I’ve experienced,” she said.

She said completing the rigorous program during a worldwide pandemic allowed her to train her “adaptability muscles.”

“No matter the environment, the problem, the choices, the question, the ones who can quickly and constantly adapt will have an advantage,” she said.

Another bit of wisdom gained by earning her MBA during the COVID-19 outbreak: do less.

“This sounds crazy, I know, but an MBA experience through a pandemic quickly shows you who and what is most important in life,” she explained. “Be laser-focused on the pursuits that light you up and surround you with people who will make you better. Strive to make each day full, not with long to-do lists, but with purpose and intent. Life is too short to try and do it all—so do less on purpose.”

Together, Watts’s hard work and experience with the program helped her land exactly where she wanted to be.

“It was my MBA coursework, the incredible Warsaw network, and the support of faculty and program directors that helped launch me into my new role with Wasserman,” she said.

As a senior manager on the projects team at Wasserman, Watts will focus on elevating gender equality across brands, properties, and talent in the sports industry.

—AnneMarie Knepper-Sjoblom ’05, Lundquist College Communications