Emily Matsen

Hometown: Springfield, IL

Current Location: Milwaukee, WI

Tell us about your personal and professional journey.

My journey has been shaped largely by my experiences at UIS as a biology student and collegiate athlete. After getting my undergraduate degree I moved to Milwaukee and worked in a research department at the Medical College of Wisconsin. I began pursuing a masters degree in data science and started a role as a Biostatistician – using statistics to prove hypotheses.

Shortly after I was fortunate enough to get a job in the business analytics department at the Milwaukee Bucks. Being around sports my entire life, it’s been very fulfilling to find a career that allows me to stay in that environment while applying analytical and professional skills.

Who or what has played a significant role in influencing or mentoring you?

My sister has played a significant role in shaping who I am. Being less than two years older than me, she’s always carved a path ahead and shown me what’s possible. Watching the way she approached her undergraduate experience (balancing being a student-athlete), completing a master’s degree, and transitioning into a young professional has set a powerful example for me.

In the past few years since joining the Bucks, I’ve also been fortunate enough to have several mentors who’ve demonstrated strong female leadership in a male-dominated field. Seeing women lead with confidence and strategic vision has influenced how I think about my own growth and leadership style.

What accomplishments or contributions are you most proud of—professionally or personally?

Personally, I’m proud of moving to a different city and carving out a life for myself there. I’ve been able to prioritize travel – exploring new cities, visiting national parks, and attending as many NBA games as possible along the way.

Professionally, earning my master’s degree and being an author of published research articles are milestones I’m proud of. When I joined the Bucks, the analytics team was going through a transition period. I had the opportunity to build many of our models from scratch and help lay the foundation for several of the projects we do today. Contributing to that foundational work and helping shape the direction of our analytics efforts is also something I’m proud of.

What advice would you share with other emerging professionals who want to make an impact in their field or community?

I would say stay curious and ask a lot of questions. Technical skills can be taught, but the desire to continue learning is important at all stages of your career. Specifically for emerging professionals, it’s important to be coachable. When starting out in any profession, it’s normal to make mistakes, but being able to receive feedback, apply it, and improve quickly is very valuable.

Outside of work, what activities, interests, or passions keep you inspired and grounded?

Outside of work, sports are still a big part of my life — I love going to sporting events and staying connected to that competitive environment. Moving to Wisconsin and living next to a Great Lake has allowed me to become more outdoorsy and interested in kayaking and camping. Most importantly, I value spending time with friends and family who live near here (I’m always trying to recruit fellow UIS alumni to Milwaukee 😊).