What’s Next: Emily Demps on Leadership, Logistics, and Building a Better Food System

When Emily Demps walked into an Amazon fulfillment center this July as a new Area Manager, she was doing more than managing operations—she was putting into motion a vision for smarter, more equitable systems. For Demps, a recent graduate of LSU’s E. J. Ourso College of Business and the Ogden Honors College, it’s the next step in a journey shaped by purpose, precision, and a passion for people.

“I’ve always cared about food — who has access to it, how it moves, how much of it goes to waste,” said Demps. “Working in operations gives me the chance to see and improve the behind-the-scenes processes that impact those things every day.”

A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Demps earned her Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in International Management, alongside minors in Political Science and Louisiana Service and Leadership (LASAL) with Research. This summer, she returns to her hometown to launch her career with Amazon, where she’ll lead teams in meeting performance goals tied to productivity, safety, and quality. “It’s people management, operational problem-solving, and using data to make systems work better,” she explained.

But her path to this moment didn’t start in a boardroom — it began with a deep belief in systems change.

A Foundation in Action
At LSU, Demps cultivated this systems-thinking approach through a powerful combination of research, leadership, and service. As a Sustainability and Sales Intern at Sysco, she developed tools to reduce food waste and even helped create a national donation policy that reshaped warehouse practices. At the University Club Baton Rouge, she dug into operational logistics, streamlining vendor relations and analyzing cost structures. And on campus, she led efforts with the LSU Food Pantry and Food Recovery Network, merging compassion with strategy to fight food insecurity.

“These experiences showed me how inefficiencies and inequities in supply chains aren’t abstract,” she said. “They affect real people. I want to be part of changing that.”

The Honors College Difference
Demps credits the Ogden Honors College and the LASAL program with helping her think beyond technical skills. “The Honors College challenged me to go deeper — to question assumptions, connect disciplines, and ground decisions in values,” she said. “That’s shaped how I lead today.”

Whether navigating the ethical trade-offs of supply chain decisions or making the case for new warehouse procedures, Demps leans on her honors foundation: “It taught me to ask why. Not just what the solution is, but what’s driving it, and how to bring others along with me.”

That mindset has already earned her widespread recognition. At LSU, Demps was named a Distinguished Communicator, an Engaged Citizen, a Tiger Twelve recipient, and one of the Ourso Outstanding Eight — a testament to her leadership and service across campus and beyond.

Building Toward a Bigger Impact
For now, Demps is focused on learning everything she can in her new role and leading with intention. But her long-term vision is clear: to work at the intersection of logistics and sustainable food systems.

“I want to make supply chains more transparent, efficient, and environmentally responsible,” she said. “That means reducing waste, improving access, and pushing for corporate responsibility to create systems that nourish both communities and the planet.” 

Now, Demps is weighing two graduate school paths: a master’s program in supply chain management to optimize systems for efficiency and resilience, or a graduate degree focused on social impact to deepen her understanding of how nonprofits and mission-driven organizations can create lasting change.

With a global mindset, real-world experience, and the interdisciplinary training of an honors education behind her, Emily Demps isn’t just stepping into the workforce — she’s stepping into a mission.