Emilia Slotnick, a 31-year-old New York native, has spent much of her life fighting an unseen battle. Diagnosed with Crohn's disease at just 10 years old, she has transformed her personal health struggles into a mission to advocate for others. Today, that mission is being recognized by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s New York Chapter, where she will soon receive the prestigious Community Impact Leader award.
Slotnick’s advocacy efforts are fueled by her leadership in the Greater New York Chapter’s Young Professionals Group and her role as co-chair for the Annual Gala committee. She is also a passionate advocate for IBD Ventures, a groundbreaking initiative by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation that seeks to develop early detection resources and wearable technologies for patients.
“I’ve lived with Crohn’s for most of my life,” Slotnick said. “The Foundation has been a pillar of support for both me and my family. Their patient advocacy and medical research work is vital to advancing our understanding of this disease, and I’m proud to help push that mission forward.”
Her dedication to the Foundation’s mission directly aligns with her academic experience at Johns Hopkins University, where she earned her Master of Science in Organizational Leadership in 2023. The skills and methodologies she gained from Hopkins have become invaluable tools in her advocacy work.
“Hopkins really helped me grow as a leader,” Slotnick said. “The leadership skills I learned in the MSOL program have allowed me to confidently navigate my roles within the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and further the community’s efforts toward a world without this disease.”
Slotnick’s decision to enroll in the MSOL program was both personal and practical. Growing up in Baltimore, she had long admired the impact of Johns Hopkins on the local community. When the COVID-19 pandemic allowed her to further her education online, she saw it as the perfect time to turn that admiration into action.
“I was balancing a rapidly changing world and workplace environment, but Hopkins offered an incredible program for online learning and continuing education,” she said.
Her studies in Organizational Leadership proved transformative, as the well-rounded curriculum covered essential aspects of modern business and leadership ethics. Engaging with her classmates and hearing their perspectives helped Slotnick broaden her understanding of diverse challenges, a skill she now applies in her daily work at Preqin, a company that provides institutional investors and private equity firms with vital information about the alternatives industry.
“The MSOL program gave me the reference material, skill sets, and methodologies I use daily at Preqin,” Slotnick said. “It has not only strengthened my professional skills but has also equipped me with the confidence to lead efforts in my personal passion: advocating for those living with Crohn’s and Colitis.”
Looking ahead, Slotnick’s journey with Crohn’s disease continues to shape her goals. She remains dedicated to helping patients and their support systems navigate the complexities of living with inflammatory bowel diseases until a cure is found. Her leadership at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is a testament to that commitment, as she continues to shine a light on a path toward a healthier future for all.
Learn more about the Johns Hopkins MS in Organizational Leadership degree program.