Emily is a Chicago native, having grown up in Broadview with her mom, dad, two brothers, and a sister. Her family attended churches in the Presbytery of Chicago and Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, Michigan, her whole life. She attended college at Saint Louis University (SLU) in St. Louis, Missouri, where she studied Political Science and Communication and spent a lot of time being involved in student life activities such as Delta Gamma Sorority and resident housing programming. Having spent her college summers working at Presbyterian Camps, she found a love of working with kids.

In May 2009, Emily graduated from SLU, returned to Presbyterian Camps for the summer, and then left the Midwest for an outdoor ministry internship at Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp in Hillside, Colorado. While there, she was able to further explore a desire to work in youth ministry.

She is excited to serve at First Pres and share God with the middle school and high school youth.