Emma serves as the Chief Operating Officer of The Innovate Fund, where she provides strategic leadership in overseeing the organization’s direction and business operations. Her role involves balancing The Innovate Fund’s mission to transform underserved communities while enhancing the impact of the New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) program to benefit low-income areas. Emma has successfully deployed $100 million in NMTC allocations, with an additional $40 million set to be deployed in 2025.Previously, Emma was the Program Manager at The Innovate Fund, where she played a key role in supporting, supervising, and implementing the organization’s strategic plan. Her work included community engagement, pipeline development, and marketing throughout the service area. Emma entered the NMTC industry at People Incorporated Financial Services, where she deployed $144.9 million in NMTC allocations.Based in Abingdon, VA, Emma has a deep passion for the Appalachian region. She is actively involved in several organizations, including serving on the NMTC Coalition Board of Directors and the Steering Committee of the Appalachian Funders Network.
Advisory Board
Andrew Crosson, Invest Appalachia, Chief Executive Officer
Bill Pollard, BrightBridge Capital, COO
Brendan Buttimer, The Reinvestment Fund, Senior Director, Equitable Food Systems
Brian Oxford, CAHEC, Manager, Acquisitions & New Markets
Carl Rees, Electricities of NC, Senior Economic Developer
Duncan Cheney, Metanoia CDC, Director of Physical Asset Development
