Emily Empel graduated the University of Houston as a trained futurist and has an undergraduate degree from the Villanova University School of Business. She is now with the Walt Disney Company solely supporting their Future Workforce Insights group.

Prior to her graduation, Emily completed an associateship at Hassett Willis and Company focused on a long-term foresight initiative for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). She also studied as an exchange student at the University of Hawaii Future Studies program.

Emily’s innovative thinking sparked the concept for a start-up venture during her junior and senior years at Villanova. Her other professional experience includes working at companies such as Publicis Consultants, The Furnace Advertising and Lead Financial Group. While working at Random House Publishing, Emily started the company’s first in-house Millennial research initiative.

In addition to futures, Emily is passionate about color, travel, people and adventure. She has lived all over the globe including London and Sydney.

Follow Emily on twitter @localrat to learn more about her research areas and interests.