Buckeye

Growing My Professional Skills and Continuing My Buckeye Pride

Johnson Ainslee 2.2016By Ainslee Johnson
Senior Risk Analyst
American Municipal Power

 

 

I am a proud 2007 graduate of The Ohio State University and the Fisher College of Business. Saying you’re a proud graduate of OSU is most closely associated with cheering on the Buckeyes on Saturdays in the fall. While that still holds true, my sense of OSU pride soared to new heights in 2015. It was not because of the national football title, but because I discovered The Risk Institute at the Fisher College of Business.

I knew I wanted to be involved in the OSU center of learning, not because of my Buckeye pride, but because as a risk professional for American Municipal Power, I saw the value of this center for my professional growth. I attended my first Risk Institute Executive Education session in the spring, which focused on risk as it relates to Cyber Security. What I experienced at the session was a collaboration between academics and practitioners that benefits both those who study risk and those who practice it. I’ve witnessed how Fisher students are participating in these interactions and better preparing themselves for their careers in risk management.

As a Fisher student, I majored in finance and used that as my springboard to finding context around corporate data. My strong analytical background drew me to the risk models of organizations and a career in risk management. My time at Fisher taught me to be a lifelong learner, and I truly appreciate how Fisher is supporting o-h-i-omy continued growth even after graduation through the resources of The Risk Institute.

A career in risk has presented a new set of challenges and opportunities. I have a more broad view of the organization and work to use that knowledge base as a tool to overcome departmental barriers. The Risk Institute, with its foundation of collaboration, provides a unique and valuable forum for practitioners and academics to exchange ideas and learn from a broad cross section of industries. As new partners are added and sources of insight are brought into the discussion, the impact will grow.

The Risk Institute is a tremendous asset right in our backyard. I look forward to being active as both an alum – with the chance to give back and help mold the next generation of risk practitioners – and also as a risk manager – who sees a tremendous opportunity to identify and evolve best practices as well as expand my skill set.

Find out how you can get involved, by visiting http://fisher.osu.edu/centers/risk.