Emma joined Defenders in 2025. She works to ensure that energy projects of all types are developed and sited in ways to avoid unnecessary adverse impacts to imperiled wildlife and habitats. Her work has included opposing the expansion of offshore oil and gas leasing under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

Before joining Defenders, Emma worked as an attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center and held roles at other environmental nonprofits, where she gained experience using law, science, and policy to develop responsible siting strategies, oppose harmful development projects, and advocate for imperiled species and their habitats.

She holds a B.A. from Duke University, an M.E.M. from the Nicholas School of Environment, a J.D. from Duke University School of Law, and is a member of the North Carolina and D.C. Bars.