Her Story
About Emily
Emily Pauley is a Houston-based nonprofit development professional and currently serves as Director of Development at the Houston Health Foundation, where she supports fundraising and community initiatives focused on improving health outcomes for children and families. With more than seven years of experience in the nonprofit sector, her work encompasses donor development, grant management, corporate communications, event planning, relationship management, and project coordination. She previously held leadership roles with Urban Harvest, Padrón & Co., and The Women’s Resource, building a diverse background in nonprofit development, marketing, and communications.
Emily’s career was shaped by an unexpected transition into nonprofit work. After graduating from college in three years, she explored several professional paths and at one point balanced four jobs while searching for the right direction. Her experience as a facilitator teaching young women about financial and college preparation introduced her to the nonprofit sector and sparked a lasting passion for mission-driven work. Among her accomplishments, she helped organize the inaugural Power of the Purse event for The Women’s Resource, which surpassed its fundraising goal by 50 percent and later evolved into a major Houston fashion event.
A graduate of Ohio University, Emily earned a BA in Linguistics, graduating summa cum laude, with a minor in Spanish and additional focus in International Relations and Nonprofit Management. She also holds a TEFL certification and has experience in teaching and communications. Her professional approach is grounded in mentorship, authenticity, accountability, gratitude, and perseverance. Beyond her career, Emily has a strong commitment to animals and has volunteered as a caretaker for special-needs rescue dogs. Through her leadership and community involvement, she continues to pursue meaningful work that creates positive change across Houston.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Emily
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the incredible women who have mentored, supported, and inspired me throughout my career. Their work ethic and resilience taught me the value of hard work, while staying true to myself and trusting the process helped me navigate different opportunities. I’ve embraced career changes, worked as hard as I could, and remained open to learning, which has made a meaningful difference in my journey.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to stay true to yourself, trust the process, and work hard while staying grounded in your core values. Defining those values and living by them, both personally and professionally, can provide clarity and stability, especially when navigating the challenges and uncertainty that come with a career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to define their core values and let them guide their decisions, especially during times of uncertainty. I also believe in practicing gratitude every day—it’s a simple but powerful habit that can provide perspective and help you stay grounded throughout your career and life.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Working for a small, growing nonprofit brings both significant opportunities and challenges. With a lean team, we have the opportunity to build strong systems and a solid foundation from the ground up, but nonprofit funding is increasingly difficult to secure. There is also always more work to be done, requiring us to wear many hats, support one another, and remain strong team players to achieve our goals together.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are a deep appreciation for nature and animals, love and meaningful relationships, and accountability. I believe love in all its forms—family, friendship, partnership, and teamwork—helps people grow and move forward. I also value accountability, whether that means setting boundaries, taking responsibility, or staying committed to the goals I set for myself and others.
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