Her Story
About Emma
Emma Forrest serves as Associate Director of Development at Metropolitan State University of Denver. She has been in higher education for just under two years after spending approximately five years in project management roles, including as a Grant Management Specialist handling state, federal, and private grants. Emma earned a Bachelor of Health Sciences from USF St. Pete in 2016 and a Master of Science in Global Health from Notre Dame in 2017. Her career path includes work as a regulatory coordinator in the cannabis space, project management at Quorum Clinical Trials under CVS Health, and supporting the development of HIV clinics in Montego Bay, Jamaica, with the National Alliance of State and Territorial Aid Directors. She attributes her professional drive to her mother, a trailblazer who opened the first women's shelter in Jamaica for victims of domestic abuse, and she remains committed to causes supporting first-generation and Hispanic-serving institution students as well as public health and women's health initiatives.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Emma
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from my mom who is a trailblazer, opened the first women's shelter in Jamaica for victims of domestic abuse, and leads by example showing boldness and speaking up for others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice came from leaders at my school who saw me as a people person and encouraged me to lean into relationship-building skills rather than just technical experience, which helped me pursue my current role.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Go right ahead into the field because it is about soft skills and connecting with people. Follow your heart to connect causes to philanthropy, and remember there is no scarcity mindset as many people want to give back.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is state funding being pulled for institutions serving diverse backgrounds due to politics. The opportunity is that individual gift officers can pull from private foundations and high net worth individuals to fill gaps where government funding falls short.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity and compassion are most important. I want everyone, especially my son, to live authentically, be vulnerable, express feelings, and reject impossible standards that deny humanity.
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