Elizabeth (Lizzy) Adams is a marketing manager for Google, focused on higher education. At UD, she earned a bachelor of arts in mass communication, with minors in journalism and political science in 2013, followed by a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and design, plus a certificate in social media and marketing. While studying at UD, she also worked as a communication specialist for the College of Education and Human Development and as a communication coordinator for the Institute of Global Studies and the Office for International Students and Scholars.
What course was the most meaningful for you and why? I absolutely loved Creativity and Design Thinking (ENTR356) with Professor Tony Middlebrooks. Divergent thinking is such an important part of life – professionally and personally. If you can find a hundred uses for a pencil, you can certainly find solutions to all sorts of larger challenges and problems. That class taught me how to exercise my brain, challenge my perspective and explore the idea of “endless possibilities.”
What was your first venture or startup experience? How does it shape your current job? My first startup experience was at an AI-powered consumer intelligence company in New York City. We helped companies understand their consumers to identify opportunities with social and consumption data. There were 11 of us in a WeWork room in Times Square, and 10 developers in Milan. Everything I learned at Horn I put into practice – from strategy and finance, to my personality type. I had learned that pivoting and rebuilding was a part of the process; therefore, I was prepared when the company decided to rebrand. Change is uncomfortable and necessary, but also a great part of entrepreneurship. In any startup, change is a constant. I now work at Google, and my team has an entrepreneurial spirit. There is that sense of grit, but also joy because we know how technology can impact education. From K12 and higher ed, to online learners or curious individuals, productivity and collaboration are essential, especially now during these challenging times.
What is the best advice you received and who from? The saying “it’s all about you, and it’s not all about you.” I don’t recall which professor said it, but I think about it all the time. Your attitude and work ethic matter, but some things are out of your control. Relationships are important. Sometimes in business and in life, you don’t always get back what you put in. This idea helps me look at challenges as opportunities.
About Horn Entrepreneurship
Horn Entrepreneurship serves as the creative engine for entrepreneurship education and advancement at the University of Delaware. Currently ranked among the best entrepreneurship programs in the US, Horn Entrepreneurship was built and is actively supported by successful entrepreneurs, empowering aspiring innovators as they pursue new ideas for a better world.
