Alumni Spotlight: Mollie Olson

Over the past 110 years, more than 200,000 individuals have graduated from Webster University around the world.

Join Us As We Highlight Their Webster Stories

Meet Mollie Olson, who earned a Master of Business Administration from Webster in 2011 and was recently named to the St. Louis Business Journal’s "40 Under 40" list. She is the founder and CEO of ECOcentrix.

What enticed you to choose Webster for your degree?

What initially attracted me to Webster was its Global MBA program. Unlike a traditional MBA, this program offered the opportunity to live, study and experience business across five different countries throughout the course of our degree. I knew I wanted more than a classroom education. I wanted to experience different cultures, understand how business operates around the world and challenge myself to step outside my comfort zone. Webster offered a truly unique opportunity to combine education with international experiences, and that was something I couldn't pass up.

What stood out about your studies at Webster?

Without question, the international experience was the most memorable part of my MBA, but what made it even more special was that I met my husband, Aaron, in our Global MBA cohort! What started as an opportunity to earn my degree and travel the world ended up changing my life in ways I never could have imagined.

Living in five different countries while completing our coursework gave us a perspective that simply can't be replicated in a traditional classroom. We weren't just studying global business; we were experiencing it firsthand. Navigating different cultures, adapting to unfamiliar environments and seeing how people approached business and everyday life differently were invaluable experiences.

The relationships we built along the way were just as meaningful as the education itself. Our cohort shared a truly unique experience that created lifelong friendships, and in my case, a lifelong partnership! Looking back, I never would have imagined that choosing Webster's Global MBA program would not only help shape my career but also lead me to my husband and the family we've built together. It's safe to say that enrolling in the program was one of the best decisions I've ever made!

How did your Webster degree help advance you in your career?

My Global MBA helped shape the way I approach business, leadership and entrepreneurship. As the founder and CEO of ECOcentrix, I've spent more than 15 years building a company focused on energy efficiency, sustainable construction and renewable energy solutions.

The program taught me to look at challenges from different perspectives, adapt quickly and recognize opportunities where others might see obstacles. Those skills have been invaluable as I've navigated the realities of entrepreneurship, expanded into new markets and evolved my business over the years.

Perhaps most importantly, my MBA reinforced that there isn't just one way to build a successful business. Exposure to different cultures and business practices helped me become a more open-minded, resourceful and resilient leader.

What advice would you give to others who are considering Webster for their degree?

Take advantage of every opportunity to step outside your comfort zone. For me, choosing Webster's Global MBA was about so much more than earning a degree. It was about experiencing the world, challenging my own perspectives and learning to approach problems differently.

If you have the opportunity to study internationally, take it. Some of the most valuable lessons you'll learn won't come from a textbook. They'll come from the people you meet, the places you experience and the challenges you navigate along the way. Those experiences will stay with you long after graduation.

What was your very first job, and what do you remember most about it?

My very first job was in sales at Coach, the designer handbag company. At the time, I didn't realize just how valuable that experience would be for my future career. It pushed me outside my comfort zone by requiring me to approach complete strangers, strike up conversations and build relationships with people from all walks of life.

I quickly learned that successful sales aren't just about selling a product; they’re about connecting with people, asking the right questions and finding common ground. That experience helped me develop the confidence to walk into almost any room and strike up a conversation with just about anyone.

Is there anything else you want to share with us?

I'm incredibly honored to have been recognized as one of the St. Louis Business Journal's 2026 "40-Under-40" honorees.

I founded ECOcentrix in 2011 and have spent my career helping homeowners, businesses and developers make buildings more efficient, resilient and sustainable. My work spans building science, energy consulting, high-performance construction and renewable energy.

In addition to leading ECOcentrix, I serve as vice chair and energy expert for the St. Louis County Building Code Review Committee, where I have the opportunity to help shape conversations around building performance and energy standards in our community.

As I look toward the future, my focus is increasingly on energy conservation and helping address the growing demand on our electrical infrastructure. With the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, data centers and electrification, I believe reducing energy demand through smarter buildings will be just as important as generating more energy.

I'm grateful for the experiences and global perspective I gained through Webster's MBA program, and I look forward to continuing to build on that foundation.