Who We Are
EMERGE empowers and equips high-achieving students from low-income communities to apply to, thrive at, and graduate from the nation’s best colleges.
Our Story
Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not. That’s the reality for many brilliant students from low-income communities. And that’s where EMERGE comes in. Our story began with a single spark—one teacher’s belief that education can be a catalyst for change, especially for high-achieving students bound by circumstances. This belief kindled a mission: to connect these students’ unlimited potential with the possibilities needed to realize their dreams. Starting with just 14 students at Chavez High School in the Houston Independent School District, EMERGE has grown into a movement that’s transformed the lives of over 4,000 students from five school districts in Houston.
OUR CORE VALUES
EQUITY GROUNDS US.
We suspend judgment and differentiate our approach to working with every individual. We recognize that each student has differing levels of access to the opportunities and resources needed to reach their full potential, and our staff and partners have unique ambitions that require an individualized approach to foster success in our partnership.
DIVERSITY DEFINES US.
We exist to support the growth in diversity at the nation’s best colleges. The EMERGE village of staff and students is a mosaic of diverse individuals with rich life experiences who always look to honor the diversity of the communities they represent.
TALENT DRIVES US.
The staff, students, and alumni of EMERGE are all highly sought-after individuals who embody excellence. Their ambition and work ethic reflect a commitment to being a catalyst for change. Together, they provide an extended network of individuals who support one another throughout their educational and professional endeavors as they go forth to make profound, positive impacts in their society.
MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS FUEL US.
Our relationships extend beyond those in the classroom, encompassing every stakeholder in education. To truly move the needle toward generational change and create scalable results, we recognize the need to consistently work together, leverage each other’s strengths, and operate with a sense of community.
RESULTS DISTINGUISH US.
We are leaders in developing students from low-income communities who may also be first-generation college students, going to every length possible to ensure their success in entering and graduating from top colleges. Our students and our results are our greatest teachers; we are constantly improving our practice through listening, learning, and data analysis.
Leadership
Dr. Anastasia Lindo Anderson
Chief Executive Officer
Adriana Bolivar
MD of Development
Tarah Burris
VP of Programs
Daya Cozzolino-Fulton
MD of College Access
Janicca Garcia-Stephens
VP of External Affairs
Mubeen Khumawala
VP of Growth & Strategy
Maurisa Lenz
VP of People & Culture
Sarah Swain
MD of Strategy & Innovation
Gary Tashima
MD of Alumni & College Success
BOARD
Our board is highly active and engaged, consisting of a diverse group of leaders from across Houston. They bring a wealth of experience and perspectives, actively contributing to the strategic direction and success of our organization. Their collective expertise and deep commitment to our mission drive innovative approaches and meaningful impact within the communities we serve.
| KATIE JOHNSON President Community Volunteer | LOUISE WIGGINS Vice President Managing Director & Partner at The Boston Consulting Group | ABDULLAH KHAN Treasurer Senior Vice President at Pacific Summit Energy | ANN KENNEDY Secretary Retired CEO from Houston Symphony |
| DAVID BELL Retired Assistant Vice Chancellor from University of Houston | CHRIS BRYAN United States Magistrate Judge for Southern District of Texas | JOSE CANTU Federal Deployment Manager at Palo Alto Networks | PEDRO CARUSO Retired Managing Director at Accenture |
| ANISH HARIHARAN Head of Power Trading at EDF Trading | VIK KALRA Executive Vice President at Platform Partners | JUDY LE President and Co-Founder at TakeRoot | MIA MENDS Chief Executive Officer at C&W Services |
| SCOTT MINNIX Chief Executive Officer at The SDM III Group | BENJAMIN SAMUELS Director at Samuels Family Foundation | BRYAN SANCHEZ Senior Advisor at Boston Consulting Group | DENISE SMITH Executive Search Consultant at Denise Smith Consulting |
| KELLEY TRAMMELL Financial Aid Advisor at Rice University | MARIA ZERR Community Volunteer | ANN ZIKER Executive Director at The Brown Foundation |
FINANCIALS
We believe in transparency in every aspect of our work. EMERGE is a registered 501(c)(3) organization aligned with industry best practices. Our recent and past Annual Reports, Financial Statements, and IRS Form 990 filings are available for public viewing. For more information about EMERGE’s financials, please contact us at development@emergescholars.org.
2022 FINANCIAL AUDIT
2021 FINANCIAL AUDIT
2020 FINANCIAL AUDIT
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