Emily Wilson on leading through a people-centered approach

For Emily Wilson, leadership begins with people.

Whether mentoring young professionals or supporting her team, Wilson has built her career around relationships and creating opportunities for others to succeed. That people-first approach has guided her journey from a student at UNM to a leader at CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), where she is a Principal specializing in serving state and local government clients.

While attending the Anderson School of Management, now The James & Gail Ellis School of Business Leadership, Wilson did not initially plan to pursue accounting. She entered business school undecided and expected to discover her path along the way.

"I took my first accounting class, and everything just clicked for me," Wilson said. "The more I looked into the profession and the opportunities it offers, the more I appreciated the long-term growth opportunities, the versatility, and the stability that comes with accounting."

Wilson immersed herself in her studies, completing her bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting in just four years. During her graduate program, she served as a teaching assistant, an experience that would become one of the most formative of her college career.

"My experience as a teaching assistant was pivotal moment for me because it gave me the opportunity to work closely with students, answer questions, and help them grow in their understanding of accounting," Wilson said. "That experience taught me how to support other's development, which is, of course, a core part of being a leader."

Wilson credits her professors with helping shape her leadership philosophy, particularly through the personal investment they made in their students' success.

"I make it a priority to truly know my team - what drives them, what motivates them, and how they feel supported. Ensuring they feel valued and cared for matters deeply to me as a leader," Wilson said. "I learned that at Anderson - having professors who truly got to know their students, cared about their success, wanted to see them thrive in their careers, and actively connected them with professionals."

Mentorship has remained central to Wilson's professional journey. Having benefited from the guidance of mentors throughout her career, she now dedicates significant time to mentoring others and recruiting future accounting professionals. Her work regularly brings her back to UNM, where she meets with students who are navigating the same questions she once faced.

"It's a full-circle moment," Wilson said. "I remember when I was in that position and I was looking for jobs and unsure what was going to come next. Now I can be the person that connects with them and really guides them forward."

For students aspiring to become leaders, Wilson offers simple but powerful advice: invest in relationships.

"Accounting, and the business world in general are people-driven professions," Wilson said. "Build relationships with your classmates, your professors, and the professionals you meet along the way. Those connections will stay with you throughout your career and can open so many doors."