Meet Emily Drexler, the Matchmaker for the Academies of Louisville Alliance

This interview offers insights from Emily, Business Partner Recruiter for the Academies of Louisville Alliance, on her role, vision, and the importance of community involvement. Emily is employed by Greater Louisville Inc., an intentional strategy as part of the Alliance team due to GLI’s strong connections to the business community.

Q: Welcome back, Emily! We understand you're returning from maternity leave. Can you share your excitement about rejoining the Alliance and the Academies of Louisville?

Emily: Returning from maternity leave has been such an exciting time, especially seeing the incredible progress our team has made. I’m thrilled to dive back into the work we’re doing with the Academies of Louisville and continue recruiting businesses to connect with students. As a new mom, my motivation has only grown—I want to help create the kinds of opportunities I would dream of for my own daughter.

Q: Can you describe your specific role within the Alliance and how it contributes to expanding the reach of the Academies of Louisville?

Emily: I’m the official matchmaker for the Academies of Louisville! As the Business Partner Recruiter, I scout out new business partners for all 15 Academies schools. This means I get to connect students with a variety of amazing businesses, offering them real-world experiences that could shape their future careers.

Q: What motivated you to join the Academies of Louisville Alliance, and what excites you most about this new role?

Emily: Growing up as the daughter of a small business owner, I had a front-row seat to the world of entrepreneurship. It opened so many doors for me, and I want to give today’s students those same opportunities. I’m excited to be the bridge that connects students to their potential futures and to see their eyes light up with new possibilities.

Q: What unique skills or experiences do you bring to the team that will help further the goals of the Alliance?

Emily: With a background in business development, I’ve spent years chatting with business owners and managers, so I’ve got a knack for understanding what makes them tick. This intuition helps in crafting partnerships that are beneficial for both our students and the companies involved. It’s all about creating win-win scenarios!

Q: Who has been a significant influence or mentor in your life, and how have they impacted your career or personal development?

Emily: My dad is my hero and mentor. We don’t always see eye to eye, but his strategic and methodical approach to problems has been a guiding light for me. He’s shown me that things take time and perfection is a myth, but effort and perseverance are what truly matter.

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to students in the Academies of Louisville who are preparing for their future careers?

Emily: Don’t be afraid to leap! We all feel unqualified or uncertain at times, but that’s part of the journey. Explore your interests, try new things, and remember, nothing is set in stone. You have the freedom to change paths and find what truly excites you.

Q: If you were in high school today, which Academies Pathway would you choose and why?

Emily: I wasn’t part of an academy in high school, but I was all about my school’s business program. If I could go back, I’d dive into the “Management Entrepreneurship” pathway. Business has always been my thing – it’s like my brain just clicks with it. I often joke that I’m not an “English” or “Math” person, but a “business” person. It’s the one language I speak fluently!

Q: Are there particular industries or types of businesses that you would like to hear from for recruitment?

Emily: We’re thrilled to be nearing our recruitment goal for the school year, and we’re actively looking to onboard 17 new partners in key areas: Media Arts and Communications, Computer Science and IT, and Engineering and Manufacturing. These academies are brimming with talented students eager to collaborate with industry leaders and explore real-world applications of their skills. If your business is interested, we’d love to hear from you!