Helena Valentine, MBA 2025
Hi everyone! I’m Helena, half Swiss / half German, now calling St. Louis, MO, my home for the past 2.5 years.
Growing up as the youngest of three with a 10-year gap, I had a front-row seat to my siblings’ achievements, fueling my competitive yet collaborative spirit. In Germany, I thrived on the soccer field, tennis court, and golf course, packing weekends with matches and weekdays with training. Our Swiss home, nestled on Mount Pilatus, turned me into a passionate hiker.
At 19, I embarked on my professional journey with an internship at Goldman Sachs in London, afterwards joining them full-time as one of their youngest employees. Despite my success, my heart belonged to the food and beverage industry, a passion ignited by my family’s long-standing involvement—my grandpa and dad have dedicated over 75 years to AB-InBev combined and my dad is still loving it, pushing the combined years towards the 80-year mark.
During the pandemic, I met my future husband, a St. Louis native pursuing his master brewer in Germany. Our shared love for beer and the warm, inviting atmosphere of European breweries inspired us to start our own. We’re currently bringing our dream to life in Olivette, MO, where we’ll open a cozy brewery offering easy-drinking European-style ales and lagers like Helles, Pilsner, and Wheatbeer, alongside Alpine Fusion cuisine. Our goal is to create a welcoming space for family, friends, and colleagues to gather and enjoy. Hopefully opening end of this year/beginning of next year.
I’m currently pursuing my MBA at WashU Olin, eager to equip myself with the knowledge and skills to ensure our startup’s success. This summer, I had an incredible experience interning in corporate finance at PepsiCo in NYC, gaining valuable insights and making unforgettable memories.
Can’t wait to share a beer with you all! Cheers!