Biography
Emily has a 25-year career in public policy and organizing to make the world a better place. She currently works full time as the lead writer at MoveOn, where she has worked since 2015. Prior to MoveOn, Emily was the director of Environment Maine, where she helped pass an ordinance in South Portland to stop a tar sands terminal in Casco Bay—a first-of-its-kind policy upheld by the courts. Emily spent the first dozen years of her career working on women's health and the environment for nonprofit organizations in Washington, D.C., during which time she was named "one of the most effective green advocates in Washington, D.C." and one of half a dozen people "playing a big role in shaping the debate" on climate change.
Prior to first being elected to the Portland Board of Education in 2018, Emily was deeply involved in education issues in Portland as a parent. She co-founded and directed Protect Our Neighborhood Schools (now Equity in Portland Schools) and led the winning campaign to pass a $64 million bond in 2017 to renovate four Portland elementary schools. She also co-chaired Reiche Community School's PTO.
Emily's two children attend Portland Public Schools and are in 5th and 9th grades. In 2021, Emily became the only openly LGBTQ+ member of the school board. She attended public schools for K-12 and received a BA from Stanford University and a Master of Public Health from Columbia University. Emily lives in the West End with her daughters. You can follow Emily on Facebook and Twitter.