Blue Ocean Global Technology Interviews Emily Wallschlaeger | Director of Field Operations at Midwestern Wheels, Inc.

Emily Wallschlaeger began her career in the car rental industry while still in high school and throughout college, working at Midwestern Wheels Inc. (MWI) in a variety of roles, including accounting, service agent, rental agent, and distribution. After earning her undergraduate degree from Marquette University, she joined Avis Budget Group in Parsippany, NJ, as a Pricing Analyst, where she spent two years before transitioning back into operations as an Airport Manager in Savannah, GA. During her three years in Savannah, Emily completed her master’s degree from Marquette University.

Following her time with Avis Budget Group, she returned to Wisconsin to continue her career with Midwestern Wheels Inc. She has since advanced into her current role as Director of Field Operations, where she oversees operational strategy, performance, and customer experience across the company’s field locations.

Blue Ocean: Could you tell us about your professional journey—what inspired you to pursue this industry?

Emily Wallschlaeger: I started about 15 years ago at Midwestern Wheels, in their accounting department. At first, I was just filing paperwork and organizing things for the team at their headquarters in Appleton, Wisconsin. Once I was able to drive, I moved into the service department as a service agent, cleaning vehicles. Later, I took on a dual role, both renting and cleaning vehicles.

I continued that work all through college. After earning my undergraduate degree, I moved to New Jersey to work for Avis Budget Group Corporate in Parsippany. I joined their pricing department and worked there for about a year and a half, with a short pause during COVID. Then I transferred to Savannah, Georgia, where I became an airport manager for three years while earning my master’s degree in business.

When I finished my master’s, an opportunity opened up at MWI to move back to Wisconsin. In the winter of 2024, I returned and became the Director of Field Operations at MWI.

Blue Ocean: What does a typical day in your life look like?

Emily Wallschlaeger: The fun thing about the rental car business is that every single day is different. You might think you have a quiet day ahead, but something unexpected always comes up. Just recently, I thought I’d be in the office all day but I ended up driving halfway across the state.

As the Director of Field Operations, my main goal is to build relationships with my management team and our frontline employees, making sure everything is cohesive across all our locations. That means I’m constantly traveling throughout Wisconsin to visit different sites.

What I love most is that I get to meet everyone—from the CEO to our brand-new hires. I work with them all. It’s a diverse group of people, and I get to see the ins and outs of how everyone feels, the culture at each location, and how operations are running.

Blue Ocean: Which emerging trends in your industry most excite you?

Emily Wallschlaeger: There’s been a lot changing in our industry over the last several years, and I’m especially excited about the new technology that’s coming up to enhance the customer experience. Mobile pickup and drop-off, contactless rentals, and other innovations are making the customer experience faster and easier. 

AI is also a big topic right now. I see potential in using AI for fleet management, pricing, and even hiring. There are so many ways it can improve efficiency and decision-making.

Sustainability is also a huge focus. We’re expanding our EV and hybrid fleet and doubling the number of  EV chargers at a new facility we’re building. Most of those will be for our vehicles, but some will be open to the public.

All of these innovations improve our operations, but more importantly, they transform the customer experience. That’s the real key to our growth and to keeping customers excited about everyday travel and renting a car.

Blue Ocean: What do you believe is the key to your success, and how do you stay ahead in such a competitive environment?

Emily Wallschlaeger: I think the key to success in this industry specifically is adaptability. You need the resilience to handle constant changes, ask questions, seek feedback, and make sure you’re staying informed on what’s happening.

With my day-to-day being unpredictable, I try to think one step ahead and be more proactive than reactive. I’m looking at how we can improve a system, be more efficient, empower our teams, build a cohesive culture, and create an experience that truly benefits our customers.

Being open to change makes all of this possible. What works today might not work tomorrow,  so you need to be willing to try something new.

Blue Ocean: What sets your approach apart when it comes to supporting your team and ensuring customer satisfaction?

Emily Wallschlaeger: What sets me apart is that I’m very boots on the ground. I stay connected to daily operations, even in a director role. I lead with empathy and clarity, always trying to understand my team’s needs and remove any barriers in their way.

If you have happy, well-supported employees, they’ll naturally deliver a better experience for your customers. My job is to provide tools, guidance, and support.

My approach is to always be approachable. I have a hands-on style, but I also know when to step back and let them lead for their own teams.

Blue Ocean: In your experience, what qualities separate those who excel in their field from those who don’t?

Emily Wallschlaeger: People who excel are resourceful, resilient, and willing to do the work no one else notices.

You can’t just react to situations, you need to take initiative, follow through, and stay consistent. A positive attitude, accountability for yourself, and holding your team accountable are just as important as talent. Those qualities are what I expect from myself and I encourage that on my management team.

Blue Ocean: How do you approach mentoring or guiding those who look up to you?

Emily Wallschlaeger: Communication is everything. I listen closely to understand what everyone’s goals are, and I need to understand what their wants are.

Every single employee is different. A rental agent’s ambitions might be completely different from someone cleaning vehicles, so it’s important to recognize those differences. By sharing those perspectives, I can create a better environment for them, one where they’re willing to let me guide them.

I’m very honest and direct with my team about both successes and challenges. Growth isn’t always comfortable. But I try to offer opportunities that stretch people in the right ways without overwhelming them or making them feel like they’re facing challenges alone.

When somebody truly wants to grow, they’re willing to let you stretch them—and that’s when real growth happens.

Blue Ocean: What advice would you give to your younger self as you were starting your career in this multifaceted industry?

Emily Wallschlaeger: My advice is: don’t wait until you’re ready. Jump in headfirst. Be willing to take the risks, and do the hard things. You’ll gain respect, confidence, and momentum to take that next step from those experiences.

Another thing I’d tell my younger self is: never underestimate the power of relationships. This industry moves fast, and strong connections help you learn, lead, and grow — faster, better, stronger.

Blue Ocean: What is something you are most grateful for, either professionally or personally?

Emily Wallschlaeger: Professionally, I’m most grateful for the mentors and leaders I’ve had. They were able to see the potential in me before I think I even saw it in myself. Their belief and investment shaped my path. 

On a personal note, I’m grateful for the support system I have in my friends and family. They keep me grounded, remind me what really matters most in life, and help me stay humble with a positive perspective and outlook.

Blue Ocean: What’s one lesson in life that changed your perspective?

Emily Wallschlaeger: I’d say discomfort. When there’s discomfort, it means you’re growing.

Early in my career, I didn’t always feel confident leading teams or handling big projects. But through those moments of discomfort, I grew, pushed through setbacks, and achieved breakthroughs. 

All of that discomfort changes your perspective. It makes you appreciate the easier days, or reflect back on the last project you created. Sometimes it even makes you realize, “Okay, we can’t function this way anymore.” It opens your eyes to new paths and new ways of doing things.

Blue Ocean: Is there a particular quote or piece of advice that has guided you through your career?

Emily Wallschlaeger: I truly relate to one by Simon Sinek: “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.”

This quote is really important to me because it shifts the focus from authority to responsibility — which is essential in my industry, where we’re managing both people and the experiences of our customers. It’s a reminder that real influence comes from how you support others and how you show up every single day, focus on people, pay attention to the small things, build trust, and create results. That’s what builds momentum and keeps pushing your team to do better and better.

Blue Ocean: What hobbies or interests help you maintain a balanced lifestyle outside of work?

Emily Wallschlaeger: I love anything that keeps me active and gets me outside such as hiking, running, working out, going on walks with my dogs. I also play on a volleyball team year-round.

From a less active standpoint, I enjoy creative projects like do-it-yourself arts and crafts, anything hands-on. I find it really fun and peaceful, a way to disconnect and reset for my own internal balance.

Most of all, I value time with friends and family. Any hobby where I can spend time with them feels meaningful. It helps me stay grounded through life’s ups and downs, and then I can come back into work re-energized and ready to go.

Conclusion

For Emily Wallschlaeger, leadership means being present in the day-to-day, empathetic and clear. By staying proactive and focused on people, she’s building stronger connections, improving systems, and shaping a culture that empowers her team while delivering real value to customers.