Who is Lilly?
Lilly is originally from Appleton, Wisconsin, but her ties to the U.P. began long before moving here. Growing up, she and her family frequently traveled to Marquette before making the move permanent in 2017.
She graduated from Marquette Senior High School in 2021 and went on to attend Northern Michigan University, where she majored in Social Media Design Management. Originally considering a journalism major, Lilly realized that the social media design program allowed her to have more creative freedom in her work.
Gaining Experience at NMU
During her time at NMU, Lilly became a social media intern with the university’s Athletic Department. She started out covering the women’s soccer team during her junior year, and after a successful season, she was invited back for another. During her time as an intern, she also got the opportunity to create content for the women’s lacrosse and alpine ski teams.
In this role, Lilly had the chance to develop skills in photography, videography, and graphic design and said she really enjoyed the variety of the work. The opportunity to shift between different sports also gave her a chance to stretch her creativity.
Roots in Local Business
In addition to her work with NMU, Lilly has also contributed to Marquette’s small business community by working alongside her mom, Erica, at The Gathered Earth and later at Seiche Stone Co. Through these experiences, she gained a deeper appreciation for the dedication and passion it takes to run a business. That perspective, combined with the entrepreneurial drive she saw in both of her parents, has fueled her excitement for joining Innovate Marquette.
Why Innovate?
With a family history of entrepreneurship, her mom having started multiple retail businesses, and her dad running a landscape design business, Lilly has been surrounded by examples of what it means to be an entrepreneur. She’s eager to support others who are following that same path.
“Being able to be part of an organization like Innovate that helps entrepreneurs connect with valuable resources is something that I’m incredibly excited about,” she shared.
Outside the Office
When she’s not working, Lilly takes full advantage of everything Marquette has to offer. Whether heading to the woods, enjoying Lake Superior, or traveling someplace new. Spending time with family and friends remains one of her favorite ways to enjoy the U.P.
Looking Ahead
As our Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, Lilly is ready to put her creative skills and community centered mindset into action. With her strong background in social media, storytelling, and small business support, we’re confident she’ll be an incredible asset to our team and to the entrepreneurs and innovators we serve.
We’re so excited to welcome Lilly to Innovate Marquette, and we can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make in helping strengthen our entrepreneurial ecosystem.