Huntsman Alum Rises to the Top in Sales Leadership

Chelsea Yoshikawa’s career trajectory is an inspiring testament to hard work, passion, and the transformative power of education. As a 2018 graduate of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, Chelsea has made remarkable strides in her career, earning recognition as a top leader in sales and business development. 

Chelsea always knew she wanted to be a businesswoman. Her career path took shape during her time at Utah State University (USU) where she chose to pursue a double major in Business Administration and Marketing. Chelsea says her time at the Huntsman School coincided with the construction of Huntsman Hall, a symbol of an investment in the school's growth and dedication to student success.  

At USU Chelsea was involved in student government and Partners in Business, which helped her build confidence and leadership skills, but it was her involvement with Huntsman’s ProSales program where she found a passion for sales. At the time of her participation, ProSales was still in its early stages with just a handful of students. Chelsea saw its potential and actively engaged in sales competitions, which exposed her to real-world sales scenarios and potential employers.  

Chelsea’s skills led to an internship at General Mills, and after a successful internship, Chelsea secured a full-time position at General Mills upon graduation. Since then, Chelsea’s career progressed rapidly. In 2021 she transitioned to Procter & Gamble, where she now serves as a Sales Director. Notably, she is one of the youngest individuals to attain a director-level role within the company.  

At Procter & Gamble, she was selected to turn around an underperforming business. Stepping into a challenging situation, she implemented new ideas and processes to drive positive change. While the final results are still unfolding, her leadership has already positioned the business on an upward course. 

"Being chosen to help turn a business around has been incredibly rewarding,” Chelsea said. “Implementing new strategies and seeing progress is what excites me the most about my work." 

Chelsea acknowledges that challenges arise daily in her role, but she believes a problem-solving mindset distinguishes great leaders. Whether it’s refining a sales pitch, improving team collaboration, or implementing innovative processes, she views every obstacle as an opportunity for growth. Her success has been guided by a strong belief in continuous improvement and adaptability, traits she honed during her time at the Huntsman School. 

Chelsea credits much of her success to the mentorship she received at Huntsman from Chris Fawson and Sterling Bone; professors who she says truly cared and provided invaluable insight and support. Her connections to USU remain strong. Her sister, Emily Reusch, now works as a professor in the College of Engineering, and Chelsea’s husband, Nathan Olsen, is also a Huntsman School alumnus from international studies who uses his Chinese language skills in his career. 

"We both had phenomenal experiences at the Huntsman School, and we’re grateful for how it set us up for success," Chelsea said.  

Chelsea takes pride in seeing how the Huntsman School continues to grow and as a member of the Huntsman Young Alumni Board, works to influence future leaders. As Huntsman continues to cultivate top-tier business talent, alumni like Chelsea are paving the way for future generations.