YOUNG ALUMNA OF THE YEAR AWARD
Elena M. Braun, Bus Ad ’08
Watertown, Mass.
Whether making sure cancer patients receive their lifesaving medicine or summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro, Elena Braun loves taking on new challenges. She has been able to achieve a balance of work, play, and serving others.
Elena manages the global supply chain for a lifesaving and life extending cancer medicine for Takeda Oncology. She and her global team are responsible for ensuring every patient around the world has access to their medicine, no matter when or where they need it. Elena is committed to improving access to medicines by addressing barriers within the global supply network that make it challenging to reach every patient. Her attitude exemplifies the Marquette credo to “Be the Difference” to people in need worldwide.
Elena immediately identified with Marquette’s dedication to service. Her time at Marquette showed her the many opportunities that exist to serve others in both big and small ways, reinforcing the idea that service doesn’t always require a large time investment. Elena continues to give back in a variety of ways, serving as a mentor with Marquette Mentors and to first-generation college students through a local program. She is also committed to addressing food insecurity by maintaining a community fridge as well as preparing homemade meals for local community organizations.
An aspiring mountaineer, Elena has climbed Mts. Kilimanjaro, Cotopaxi, and Rainier, with plans to climb Mt. Elbrus next.
Name someone (past or present) with whom you’d like to have dinner.
As an outdoor enthusiast and aspiring adventurer, I would love to have dinner with Theodore Roosevelt. As the founder of our national park system and global explorer, I think he would have tons of interesting stories to tell.
What is one of your favorite Marquette memories?
I used to spend most evenings studying on the Bridge at Raynor Library. I really enjoyed sitting with my friends and classmates to study. The noise helped my study, and I enjoyed the occasional drop-ins by friends that studied in the quieter parts of the library.
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