Will Conboy

Tell me a bit about yourself and why you joined LEND.

I’m a sophomore majoring in Computer Science and Economics at Northwestern. I’m originally from Denver, Colorado, but I grew up visiting my extended family in Chicago, so it’s nice to return to the area. I joined LEND because I wanted to be a part of the Evanson community during a quarter where I felt disconnected. Working with individuals struggling with real-world problems helps me stay connected to the community.

What is your role in LEND and who have you worked with?

As a junior account manager at LEND, I am currently being mentored through on-the-job training. This includes working on the online presence of Nargi’s Beauty Spot with Ryan and coming up with ideas on changing how businesses interact with customers during a pandemic.

What are you most excited to work on as a member of LEND’s team?

I am excited to be doing industry-related research to learn about the individual problems that different businesses can face. I am also excited to learn about how these problems are compounded by COVID precautions and changing consumer preferences. 

Do you have any experience working with small businesses in your hometown?

Over the summer, I was a contact tracer for the state of Colorado. While I wasn’t working directly with small businesses, I helped many small business owners develop isolation plans for employees that had tested positive for COVID-19.

Do you have a favorite small business in Evanston? If you’re not that familiar with Evanston’s small businesses, what is one you’re looking forward to going to? 

The deli in D&D’s Finer Foods and the calzones at Dave’s New Kitchen are both incredible.

How do you spend your free time?

I try to get out of the house as often as possible. Since the gyms are currently closed, I have picked up running to stay in shape. I also love playing Spikeball with my friends when the weather is nice.