Emma Johnston

About Emma Johnston

My love for the outdoors really began with REI.Growing up, I wasn\'t exposed to the greatness of the mountains. I spent time outside of course; riding my bike around the neighborhood or spending time at the beach in CT. It wasn\'t until my early 20s that I discovered the beauty of the mountains and the contrast it brought to my time spent by the water.I joined REI back in 2016 as a sales specialist opening the Milford, CT store. I remember the intimidation I felt learning about bikes, car racks, skis, etc. but I also so vividly remember how welcoming the grand opening team was in sharing the knowledge. In the three years I spent with the Milford team, I found myself sleeping in a tent for my first time and learning how to rock climb. It was always exciting.At the end of 2019 (just before the pandemic), I packed up my life and moved into a van which led me out west and back to REI. As a merchandising product specialist, I support the buying team through key processes. I work with several different departments under the cycling team to complete data entry, audits, promotional events, and much more. Everything I do is motivated by my desire to help people feel more comfortable when they walk out their front door and embark on their adventure.There are so many pivotal moments in my journey. I\'d love to connect with more people who also operate in this space, commemorate our tasks and the industry, and talk about the road that led us here. Please send me a connection request and let’s chat! ‍

Experience

1. Assistant Category Merchant - Hike Footwear

   REI

   Apr 2024 — Present

Education

• University of New Haven

  Bachelor’s Degree, Business Administration and Management, General

  2016 — 2018

• University of Hartford

  Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other

  2013 — 2015