Lily Krut is a rising leader in business and entrepreneurship. She is currently a student at Michigan State University, studying at the Eli Broad College of Business. She has made the Dean’s List both her freshman and sophomore years, showing strong focus and discipline.
Lily grew up in Birmingham, Michigan. She graduated from Wylie E. Groves High School with high honours all four years. She also earned the Academic Scholar Award in both 2022 and 2023. Her early life taught her the value of hard work. She danced, played tennis, and competed in softball.
Her career started at Elena Victoria Day Camps. There, she teaches children jewellery making and sewing during the summers. In 2025, Lily became an intern at Campus Ink, a business focused on student branding and merchandising. She is gaining key skills in marketing, sales, and business operations.
Lily’s passion for giving back stands out. She supports many charities, including Chabad, Make-A-Wish, ALS research, and the Jewish Federation. She also volunteers at Yad Ezra, providing food for families in need. Alongside her mother, she helps run My Story, a charity donating journals and art supplies to children’s shelters. She also helps adopt local families during the holidays, making sure they receive gifts and supplies.
Lily is known for her love of fashion, business, and helping others. She is building a career in business leadership with a heart for community. Her mix of creativity, kindness, and drive makes her one to watch in her industry.
Interview with Lily Krut: From Birmingham Roots to Business Leadership
Q: Lily, let’s start with your early life. What was it like growing up in Birmingham, Michigan?
It was a great place to grow up. I stayed busy with a lot of activities. I danced at Studio A for years, played softball in elementary school, and then played tennis for Groves High School. I was also really focused on academics. I earned high honours all four years and received the Academic Scholar Award twice. Looking back, I think those early experiences taught me discipline and how to juggle different priorities.
Q: You’re now at Michigan State University in the Eli Broad College of Business. How has university life been?
It’s been challenging but very rewarding. I started in autumn 2023, and I’ve been on the Dean’s List both my freshman and sophomore years. The business school here is competitive, but I’ve found it inspiring. It’s pushed me to think differently, especially when it comes to collaboration and leadership.
Q: You’ve been working during your studies as well. Tell us about your role at Elena Victoria Day Camps.
That job has been such a meaningful experience for me. I started in 2023, teaching children how to make jewellery and sew. It’s more than just crafts—it’s about helping kids develop patience and confidence. I love seeing them finish a project and feel proud of what they’ve made.
Q: This summer, you took on a new role at Campus Ink in Chicago. How did that come about?
Yes! This summer, I’m interning at Campus Ink, which is a student-focused branding and merchandising company. It’s been fast-paced and hands-on. I’ve been working on marketing campaigns and learning about sales and business operations. It’s been a big shift from working at camp, but I love the challenge.
Q: Any standout projects from your internship so far?
One that really stands out is helping with merchandise campaigns for student groups. It’s fascinating to see how branding connects people on campus. I’ve had to think creatively and strategically at the same time, which has been a great learning experience.
Q: You’ve also been very active in philanthropy. Where does that passion come from?
My mom, Jennifer, has been a huge influence. She runs My Story, a charity that donates journals and art supplies to children’s shelters. I’ve helped her with that since I was young. Our family also adopts families over the holidays to help provide gifts and supplies.
I also volunteer at Yad Ezra, distributing groceries to local Jewish families, and I support causes like Make-A-Wish, ALS research, and the Jewish Federation. Giving back has always been important to me.
Q: Fashion and business are two of your passions. How do you see them coming together in your career?
Fashion has always been a big interest of mine—whether it’s jewellery making or working on branding at Campus Ink. I think there’s a lot of opportunity to blend fashion, business, and community impact. In the future, I’d love to work in a role where I can combine those interests, maybe through brand development or entrepreneurship.
Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
Definitely the importance of hands-on experience. You learn a lot in the classroom, but real-world work teaches you how to problem-solve, communicate, and adapt. My work at camp and Campus Ink has taught me that there’s no substitute for actually doing the work.
Read more:
Lily Krut on Business, Balance, and Building Her Career from the Ground Up
