Lilyan Talia (she, her, hers) - Administrative Business Professional
Nickelodeon kid. Astrologer. Animal lover.
As an Administrative Business Professional at the Academy, Lilyan handles finances, HR, and operations. Prior to joining the Academy, Lilyan worked at the Office of Employee Relations at Michigan State University.
Lilyan loves being a Spartan! She got her juris doctor degree from the Michigan State University College of Law in 2015 and has been employed with MSU since 2019. When not in the Academy, you can find Lilyan snuggled up with her chihuahuas binge watching horror movies or reality television (unless there’s a new lifetime movie on LMN).
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What would your fellow mentors say your greatest strengths are?
My ability to wear many different hats at the Academy.
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If you were to offer students one piece of advice as they start their journey at the Academy, what would it be?
Don’t sweat the small stuff and be ready to work through conflicts. Conflicts are unavoidable and if you want to work through it, we will together.
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Have you always wanted to work in tech? What is your personal history with tech?
I never saw myself working in tech. I don’t have much of a personal history with it!
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What was your experience with coding, tech, iOS, or entrepreneurship before the Academy?
I have always had a small business. Whether it’s been profitable is another story!
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What made you want to be a mentor? What are you most excited about?
I have always gravitated to wanting to provide justice and opportunity where it may not currently exist. I’m most excited about growing professionally right alongside so many new people every year and working alongside Shonda Jones – the legend!
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Where are you from and where do you live now?
I was born in Baghdad, Iraq and I live in Royal Oak now.