Thomas Ellis

Class of 2025

Saint John's University (MN)
Biology

Why did you choose ESTEEM?

I came to ESTEEM to explore my entrepreneurial interests. With a strong foundation in STEM studies from my academic background, I aim to further develop my skills in these areas of interest and incorporate them into my STEM background. Using what I learn in the ESTEEM program, I hope to merge business, science, and healthcare, to innovate and create impactful solutions for real-world challenges.

What is your capstone project?

Marmon Water, part of Marmon Holdings, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, is comprised of eight autonomous entities that provide products, services, and technologies to meet a vast array of water treatment needs globally. The goal of Marmon Water is to investigate the personal water bottle and filtration space, as well as develop a go-to-market strategy for a Marmon Water entity. The goal of this project is to work with different stakeholders and industry experts to contribute to Marmon Water’s filtration efforts, develop a filtration strategy, and enhance their market position by effectively communicating their commitment to personal water bottle filtration, driving positive change for the people and the planet.

What do you hope to do after ESTEEM?

After ESTEEM, I hope to discover opportunities that integrate my STEM expertise with my passions for business and healthcare. While I am particularly interested in applying my ESTEEM knowledge in the healthcare sector, I remain open to exploring diverse opportunities that come my way. I firmly believe that with the right mindset, any goal is achievable, regardless of the initial qualifications required.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I enjoy fitness, golf, and caring way too much about intramural sports (I won 11 IM championships during my undergrad). When I am back home in Minnesota, I enjoy spending time at my cabin riding my standup jet skis and channeling my inner dad, mowing beautiful stripes through the lawn.