Katie Day MBA
Katie Day, MBA, is a successful entrepreneur and sustainability advocate who is transforming the junk removal industry into a vehicle for community impact as Owner and President of The Junkluggers of Brazos Valley in College Station, Texas. After launching the business in June of last year, Katie built her company around a mission to keep reusable materials out of landfills through responsible recycling, donation, and waste diversion. Her approach blends environmental stewardship with compassionate leadership, including a commitment to creating an inclusive workplace that accommodates people with disabilities while supporting her family-run operation.
Before becoming a business owner, Katie spent more than 20 years in manufacturing, oil and gas, and industrial sectors, leveraging her background as a materials engineer and later earning her MBA. Her career included roles in quality management, technical sales, supply chain, and global operations, where she managed large budgets, international teams, and complex systems. When disability created barriers within traditional employment, Katie chose to pivot—resigning from corporate roles and channeling her technical expertise, operational discipline, and resilience into entrepreneurship.
Today, Katie is known as a results-driven leader who values independence, hard work, family, and sustainability. Beyond her business, she is active in community service through long-standing volunteer leadership with the P.E.O. Sisterhood, supporting women’s education and advancement. Through The Junkluggers of Brazos Valley, Katie continues to prove that purpose-driven business can create environmental impact, economic opportunity, and meaningful change at the local level.
• Lead Auditor
• Case Western Reserve University
• California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo- B.S.
• Western Governors University- M.B.A.
• MTI
• ASME
• API Standards Committees
• BNI Aggieland Professionals
• B/CS Chamber of Commerce
• International Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, adaptability, and the courage to pivot when traditional systems no longer supported me. My engineering background, problem-solving mindset, and self-advocacy—combined with strong family support—gave me the confidence to create my own path and build a business rooted in inclusion, sustainability, and purpose.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received came from my family, who always encouraged me to trust myself and keep moving forward. My lived experience navigating disability and exposure to leadership across industries taught me to advocate for myself and lead with resilience and purpose.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women to save more than you think you’ll need, ask for more funding than feels comfortable, and plan for challenges you can’t yet see. Advocate unapologetically for accommodations, set firm boundaries to protect your time and personal life, and never accept discrimination as part of the cost of success—hard work and self-belief can take you far, regardless of what your body may face.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field include persistent disability discrimination, limited understanding of invisible disabilities, financial pressure on new business owners, and the physical demands of operations. At the same time, there are powerful opportunities in entrepreneurship to build inclusive, accessible business models, expand waste-reduction services, and use leadership platforms to normalize disability representation and educate organizations on meaningful workplace accommodations.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to Katie in both her work and personal life are integrity, accessibility, inclusion, family, environmental responsibility, advocacy, and maintaining a healthy balance between professional ambition and personal well-being. She is passionate about creating inclusive, environmentally conscious spaces and dedicates time outside of work to her family, outdoor activities, and sharing special interests like Star Wars with her husband.