Rachel Andreasson, Executive MBA
Rachel Andreasson
EMBA 2012
Executive Vice President of Marketing
Wallis Cos.
"The program was instrumental in helping me grow as a leader and grow our family business."
"It was one thing to form relationships with peers while I was in the program, quite another for those contacts to become lasting business resources for my company. I feel comfortable calling anyone from my class with a question or problem."
The accessibility of Olin’s Executive MBA faculty
During its 45 years of business, the family owned petroleum distributor has grown from one station on Route 66 in Cuba, Mo., to a company that delivers fuel to more than 200 locations; operates a carwash, lubricant and transport division, and 28 On the Run convenience stores; and had $1 billion in sales in 2012.
Andreasson says the Executive MBA program "was instrumental in helping me grow as a leader and, consequently, helping grow our family business."
She recalls a class taught by professor Glenn MacDonald.
"We were talking about competition – specifically, how to leverage relationships in the marketplace – and the discussion dovetailed with a situation my company was having with a new franchisor.
"Glenn made time to meet with me after class, asked me a lot of questions, and gave me a different perspective on how the new relationship could be a win-win to boost sales for both the franchisor and for our On the Run locations. Using Glenn’s advice – and with a lot of work with our internal team – we ultimately signed a 15-year deal with the franchisor. I believe it’s going to be a really good long-term relationship."
Concerns about enrolling in the EMBA program
"I have a full-time job and three children. So time was my biggest reservation. A friend and business competitor recommended Olin’s Executive MBA program to me. Olin’s 20-month program format appealed to me. The EMBA team was upfront with the calendar, the course schedule, and the time commitment. Plus, they did a lot of things to incorporate family members into the experience, including an orientation to outline program expectations. My son even sat in on my last EMBA class."
A lifelong alumni network
"It was one thing to form relationships with peers while I was in the program, quite another for those contacts to become lasting business resources for my company. I feel comfortable calling anyone from my class with a question or problem."
Rachel Andreasson, Executive MBA 2012
Executive Vice President of Marketing, Wallis Cos.
Previous Employment
Training Coordinator, South Seas Plantation;
Restaurant Manager, Taco Bell, PepsiCo
Background
Education: BS in Management, Tulane University, A.B. Freeman School of Business
