Business Venturers
Ohio Wesleyan Students Travel to New York to Build Knowledge, Connections
Name: Lily Delahoussaye '27
Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas
High School: Logos Preparatory Academy
Majors: Business Administration (Management) and Psychology
Name: Brianna Montgomery '27
Hometown: Gibsonburg, Ohio
High School: Gibsonburg High School
Majors: Business Administration (Management) and Psychology
OWU Connection Experience: Study trip to New York City for Woltemade Economics & Business Fellows
Along with Delahoussaye and Montgomery, Ohio Wesleyan students Araceli Maria Allo '27 of Mariano Roque Alonso, Paraguay; Connor Asbury '27 of Columbus, Ohio; Nia Barjatya '27 of Indore, India; Christian Begg '27 of Powell, Ohio; Elsa Hoam '27 of Fredericktown, Ohio; Frankie Nuss '27 of Columbus, Ohio; and Haley Young '27 of Grove City, Ohio, traveled to New York City from May 6-9, 2025, to learn more about business careers in the city that never sleeps.
All of the students are Woltemade Economics & Business Fellows, selected for the competitive program by The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business, & Entrepreneurship. New fellows are selected each academic year based on their high potential for success at Ohio Wesleyan and their interest in business-related studies.
The students traveled with Eric Nauman, CPA, MAcc, assistant professor of accounting, and Destiny Coleman, M.S., director of The Woltemade Center.
In New York, the students met business leaders including OWU graduates Mike Tiedemann '93, founding partner and CEO of AlTi Tiedemann Global; Tom Goodman '76, president, CEO, and founder of Goodman Media International; and Lucas Nathanson '22, assistant account executive, Goodman Media International.
Favorite Moments
Delahoussaye: "My favorite part of the trip wasn't any one exact moment, but rather getting to meet and learn from each person. We were able to meet with so many different people with a variety of backgrounds, and getting to see how they were all able to use their differing skills and perspectives made my trip."
Montgomery: "My favorite moment was meeting with Tom Goodman and his team at Goodman Media. I was really impressed by their company culture—it was inspiring to see one group confidently presenting while another team collaborated on a project just a few steps away. In class, you hear about the importance of teamwork and people skills, but seeing it in action made those concepts feel real and even more impactful."
Lessons Learned
Delahoussaye: "The biggest lessons I learned from this experience weren't those I could have learned in the classroom. My economics and accounting classes helped me to understand the content every person was discussing, but the trip itself taught me what it would be like to be a working professional."
Montgomery: "I took away an important lesson during our first day, meeting with Stifel and Mike Tidemann, through conversations about wealth management. I learned that it's not just about managing money – it's about building trust and truly understanding people's goals, values, and concerns. That personal side of business really stood out to me.
"Hearing professionals explain how they earn trust and maintain long-term relationships highlighted the importance of communication and empathy – skills I've developed through both my business and psychology courses. I'm grateful to attend a liberal arts school that emphasizes a well-rounded education and prepares students with transferable, human-centered skills."
A Valuable WEB
Delahoussaye: "Being a WEB Fellow has allowed me to grow a cohort of individuals working toward similar paths as me. We have those in our year we learn from in class, an upperclassman mentor we are fortunate to have to ask all our questions about OWU, and we will gain an alumni mentor who is in a similar field that we are going into closer to graduation to be a resource as we enter the workforce."
Montgomery: "In addition to the NYC Study Trip, being a Woltemade Economics and Business (WEB) Fellow has given me the chance to build strong connections early on. Through the Spring Semester Seminar, I got to know the Business Center staff and faculty personally, which helped me feel supported and connected from the start of my college journey. I've also built great friendships within the WEB Fellows community – it's been a network of support and shared goals that continues to shape my experience at OWU."
Campus Involvements
Delahoussaye: "At Oh-Wooo, I am a cheerleader, tour guide, sister of Delta Zeta, president of the Human Resources Club, and member of the Campus Programming Board."
Montgomery: "I run on the OWU cross country and track & field team. Besides that, I've served/am serving on the Psychology Student Board, Woltemade Student Board (social chair), and am the HR Club Fundraising Chair. I am a Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholar and Woltemade Economics and Business Fellow."
Why Ohio Wesleyan?
Delahoussaye: "My answer is a little bit longer because I've had to tell my story a couple of times due to my being from so far and a tour guide. But it all boils down to the community. Everyone I talked to at OWU, from alumni, to professors, to admission staff, and students welcomed me with open arms and was ready to share their experiences with me and see what was in store for me."
Montgomery: "I chose to attend Ohio Wesleyan because of the strong sense of community I felt right away. As a student-athlete, I was especially drawn to the cross country and track teams – the coaches were incredibly supportive, and the team culture felt like a second family. I knew I'd be surrounded by people who cared about me both on and off the track.
"Beyond athletics, OWU stood out for its close-knit campus and the opportunities to build real connections with professors, staff, and peers. I wanted a place where I could grow personally and professionally, and OWU has given me that and more."
I truly believe that experiential learning is one of the most powerful tools for a college student's success.
Plans After Graduation
Delahoussaye: "After I graduate from OWU, I plan to pursue a career in Human Resources. Ohio Wesleyan has helped me find internships and prepare for the interview process, while also connecting me with alumni and local professionals who are able to answer all my questions."
Montgomery: "After graduation, I plan to work in a business role focused on human relations – possibly in HR, management, or sales. I'm drawn to people-centered work where I can build relationships and help teams grow. Ohio Wesleyan's experiential learning opportunities have helped me grow professionally and personally. I truly believe that experiential learning is one of the most powerful tools for a college student's success. It's allowed me to apply what I've learned beyond the classroom—and dive into deeper experiences of culture, human connection, and personal growth that no classroom setting could offer."
