Meet Ella Dubois, our March Leading Woman!

Name: Ella Dubois

Major: Hospitality Management

Hometown: St. Joseph, Missouri (but I’ve been living in Columbia for about 1.5 years with my family now)

What are your career/life goals?

I want to pursue a career in merchandising within the private club industry, which includes buying, selling, and displaying merchandise inside golf shops and pro shops inside country clubs. I’d love to travel all around the country doing this, as there’s multiple places on my bucket list to work and live!

What is your favorite part about your major and why did you choose it?

My favorite part of my major is how much my professors and the professionals I meet in this industry truly want to see me succeed. Hospitality isn’t just a title to them, but they live it out daily. I chose my major because I love clothing, fashion, and I like helping/working with people. I also wanted a profession where I can work with a ton of different moving parts and potentially travel. Merchandising inside of country clubs fits this perfectly, as I’d be working with administration, food & beverage, golf, tennis, and more!

What are you most excited for about your future career?

I’m excited to work the Masters tournament this April! I’ll be working as a sales associate in one of the merchandising locations throughout the duration of the tournament. To be a part of the traditions of Augusta National and the Masters is a dream come true! I’m excited to see what other doors open through this amazing opportunity and the people I get to meet and work with!

What organizations or hobbies are you passionate about?

I’m very passionate about the Mizzou Club Management Association of America (Mizzou CMAA)!  I’m loving serving this organization as fundraising chair for all of 2026! They provide amazing networking and educational opportunities if you’re interested/passionate about any aspect of the private club industry. It was through a connection I made through Mizzou CMAA that laid the groundwork for me getting the opportunity to work at the Masters. 

How have your experiences in Theta changed you?

My experience in Theta changed me by surrounding me with passionate individuals who want to better themselves all the time. My roommates and friends show me in their actions just how driven they are, which makes me want to better myself. 

What does Theta mean to you?

Theta to me means comfort! A lot of times I can get caught up in my professional ambitions, and having friends that stop to celebrate my accomplishments makes me slow down and see how genuine the people around me are. These sweet friendships are so refreshing to my soul, and it’s easy to see that I’m loved there.

Do you have any advice for the underclassmen?

My advice is to take risks! You never know what doors might open if you don’t say yes to anything! This includes clubs, panels, networking events, ANYTHING! Through these things, you build up your soft skills and confidence by repetition and it makes you more comfortable in professional settings!

Do you have a specific favorite Theta memory?

One of my favorite memories was during the sisterhood round of recruitment, I got to read a letter in front of PNMs and other Thetas to my sister, Laurel. Laurel and I are super close to one another, so surprising her was super difficult, as I always want to tell her something as soon as it happens. I’m so glad I kept the surprise though, because her reaction was so meaningful to me. While being in a sorority means sisterhood to almost everyone, I’m so lucky to have a biological sister inside Theta!