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56 SMT007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2026 F ew college seniors can say their first plane ride took them straight into a global elec- tronics boardroom. However, Emily Daley, a Michigan Technological University electrical engineering student, spent her senior year as the Student Board Member to the Global Electronics Association Board of Directors. She brought a fresh, student-centered perspective to the industry as she attended APEX EXPO, as well as board meetings in Taiwan and Lake Tahoe. Now, as Emily prepares to graduate and end her tenure as the Student Board Member, she reflects on a year of growth, global travel, and having a seat at the table. Marcy LaRont: Emily, you'll be handing your scep- ter over to the next Student Board Member at APEX EXPO next month. What did you most enjoy about the event last year? Emily Daley: I liked the networking portion best. It was really cool to hear the insights and perspectives of so many different individuals. You don't often get to be around so many people who are genuinely excited to be in one place. Everyone seemed happy to be there. What did you think when you first found out you had been selected to be on the board? When I applied for the position, I figured I'd prob- ably never get it. When it was offered to me, I was like, "Holy cow!" I didn't know what to think. I was a bit intimidated. It felt like I was going into something so huge. But overall, it has been a really great expe- rience, and I wouldn't change anything. Tell me about the experience itself. What has been your role in the meetings and how were you expected to participate? From Classroom to Boardroom A World of Perspective F E AT U R E I N T E RV I E W BY M A R CY L A R O N T, I - C O N N ECT0 07 Em i l y a n d h e r s i ste r i n A n a h e i m at A P E X E X P O 202 5