Exec MBA surpasses her goals
Laura Tellman, EMBA 43

Laura Tellmann, EMBA 43

Laura Tellmann, Executive MBA 43, was born in Missouri and was the first in her family to go to college. “My first day of the Introduction to Computers class was the first time I ever touched a computer,” Laura said.  Although a counselor in high school had encouraged her to study math and science based on a skills assessment, Laura still said it was by “sheer luck” she ended up a Computer Science major. “I love it,” she said.

After graduating from Missouri State University in three years, Laura went to work at Emerson Electric Company in the Government and Space Division where she provided Information Technology support for the group that created missile guidance systems. “I got progressively more challenging assignments, and a wealth of experience. After awhile I wasn’t comfortable making bombs.” Laura left Emerson after 6 years to work at Washington University Medical School, and has been there in some capacity every since.

Now, in her dual roles as Director of Healthcare Informatics at Washington University School of Medicine, and Director of Clinical Informatics at BJC Healthcare, Laura develops and supports enterprise clinical decision support, data management and electronic clinical quality measurement. Most recently she officiates the enterprise data governance program.

Laura had three main goals when she decided to enroll in the Executive MBA Program at Washington University. At the beginning of the program she said,  “I want to become more knowledgeable about business in general, gain confidence, and take advantage of the huge networking opportunity the program presents.” She had already begun working out of her comfort zone, expressing interest in and being selected for speaking engagements at various conferences.

Reflecting on the EMBA program, Laura said she got what she hoped for and more. “I did get the fundamentals of business that I was lacking. It was a good introduction. I got the skills and confidence I needed to sit at the table with the executives where previously I didn’t think I belonged. What’s changed the most is how I operate in general. I understand more and I aspire to  more. Before the MBA I never would have wanted to run a very large group. Now I am ready to do exactly that.”

Laura took advantage of the career development staff of the EMBA program who are available for additional assistance if a student requests it. She said that both Frans VanOudenallen and Lee Konzak assisted her with gaining additional insights. “Frans told me that there is no way I could not brag. That unless I feel like I’m bragging, I’m not selling myself.”  They also helped with framing conversations she wanted to have with management regarding her salary and role.

In addition to what she had hoped for, Laura said the encouragement from her teammates took her even farther. “They never let me step back, they always pushed me forward. When I faltered, I couldn’t falter for very long. My team wouldn’t let me.”

Image: Laura Tellmann, second from left, on the Great Wall of China with fellow EMBA 43 classmates, March 2015

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