The Fuqua Show
Welcome to The Fuqua Show, a podcast sharing the stories, lessons, and passions of Team Fuqua at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. We interview diverse members of the community - students, alums, partners, faculty, staff, and more - to learn about the unique things they bring to the Fuqua community.
Disclosure: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Duke University or the Fuqua School of Business.
The Fuqua Show
E69 —Lieutenant Commander Whitney Koenigsknecht— Forged by the Sea: Leadership, Resilience, and Service
In this inspiring episode of The Fuqua Show, host Aaliyah Brown sits down with Lieutenant Commander Whitney Koenigsknecht, a proud Michigan native, U.S. Naval Academy graduate, and Supply Corps Officer whose career has been defined by resilience, service, and leadership. Whitney shares her journey from growing up in Grosse Pointe Shores to serving aboard the USS KEARSARGE, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, and USS TRUXTUN, where she managed logistics for complex naval operations across Europe and the Middle East. Through stories of challenge and growth, she reflects on what it means to lead with empathy, maintain composure under pressure, and stay grounded while navigating life at sea as a woman in the military.
Now pursuing her MBA at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business as both a Forté Fellow and an EDGE Impact Scholar, Whitney discusses how her naval experiences have shaped her approach to collaboration, adaptability, and purpose-driven leadership. She opens up about balancing her roles as an officer, student, wife, and mother of two, offering honest insights into resilience, identity, and grace in the face of competing priorities. As she prepares to report to the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN following graduation, Whitney leaves listeners with a powerful reminder that true leadership is forged not only through discipline and excellence, but through authenticity, compassion, and the courage to keep showing up.
Host: Aaliyah Brown
Whitney's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneymoreykoenigsknecht/
DAFA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fuqua_vets/
More information about applying to Duke's Fuqua School of Business can be found at https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/admissions
Note: This is a student-run production. The opinions expressed in this podcast are the speakers' own and do not reflect the view of Duke University, the Fuqua School of Business, or any organizations mentioned. The views expressed on this podcast are my own and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the U.S. Government. My comments are based on my personal experiences and perspectives as a Naval Officer and are not intended to represent official guidance or endorsement. Any mistakes are my own.