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Emily Cavness

Emily Núñez Cavness is a former U.S. Army officer and entrepreneur who co-founded and serves as the CEO of Sword & Plough, a fashion brand that repurposes military surplus material into stylish bags and accessories.12 Born into a military family, she grew up with a strong sense of duty and desire for public service.1

Career and Education

  • Graduated from Middlebury College in 2012 with a B.A. in International Studies14
  • Served as an active duty U.S. Army officer, including deployment to Afghanistan26
  • Co-founded Sword & Plough in 2013 while still in college24
  • Completed her MBA at Stanford University in 20201

Entrepreneurial Journey

Cavness started Sword & Plough as an ROTC cadet, inspired by her experiences as the only cadet on her college campus.2 The company aims to bridge the civilian-military divide, empower veteran employment, and reduce waste.25 Under her leadership, Sword & Plough has grown significantly, expanding from three initial products to over 65.2

Achievements and Recognition

  • Named one of Forbes 30 Under 305
  • White House Champion of Change5
  • Sword & Plough recognized as one of the Top 20 Most Inspiring Companies of 20145
  • EY Entrepreneur of the Year award nominee3

Emily Núñez Cavness continues to lead Sword & Plough while advocating for veteran employment and strengthening civil-military understanding.56

Highlights

Oct 17 · gsb.stanford.edu
Emily Núñez Cavness | Stanford Graduate School of Business
Emily Núñez Cavness | Stanford Graduate School of Business
Emily Núñez Cavness - Speaker - Texas Conference for Women
Emily Núñez Cavness - Speaker - Texas Conference for Women
Oct 29 · army.mil
Afraid to start your own business? This vet did it as an ROTC cadet
Sep 25 · coloradobiz.com
Good Company: Núñez Sisters: Repurposing with a Purpose
Mar 21 · theeverygirl.com
Meet the #Girlboss Who Is Changing the Lives of Veterans With Her ...
Meet the #Girlboss Who Is Changing the Lives of Veterans With Her ...
Nov 15 · fastcompany.com
What Joining The Army Taught One Designer About Creativity
Jan 4 · nationswell.com
She Went From Fighting on the Front Lines to Running a Fashion Line
Oct 20 · leanin.org
First Lieutenant Emily Núñez Cavness - LeanIn.org

Related Questions

What inspired Emily Núñez Cavness to start Sword & Plough?
How did Emily's military experience influence her business skills?
What challenges did Emily face when starting Sword & Plough?
How does Emily balance her role as CEO with her personal life?
What are some of the most popular products from Sword & Plough?
Emily Cavness
Emily Cavness, photo 1
Emily Cavness, photo 2
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