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
Ashley Cash
Chief Executive Officer
Tarah Burris
VP of Programs
Danielle Chatman
MD, Finance & Operations
Daya Cozzolino-Fulton
MD of College Access
Sarah Swain
MD of Strategy & Evaluation
Gary Tashima
MD of College Success & Partnerships
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.
| LOUISE WIGGINS President Managing Director & Partner at The Boston Consulting Group | HILLARY HOLMES | VIKAS KALRA
| DAVID BELL |
| PEDRO CARUSO Retired Managing Director at Accenture | TWANA GRIFFITH-FAYKUS Founder and Chair at Faykus Foundation | KRISTEN HABICH Managing Director, Market Manager at J.P. Morgan Private Bank | KATIE JOHNSON |
| ANN KENNEDY Retired CEO from Houston Symphony | JUDY LE President and Co-Founder at TakeRoot | MATTHEW ROWLAND President & CEO at Third Coast | BENJAMIN SAMUELS Director at Samuels Family Foundation |
| DENISE SMITH Executive Search Consultant at Denise Smith Consulting | KELLEY TRAMMELL Financial Aid Advisor at Rice University | LIANA WANG President of EMERGE Alumni Board Harvard Law School 2026 | MARIA ZERR Community Volunteer |
| ANN ZIKER Executive Director at The Brown Foundation |
ADVISORY COUNCIL
The EMERGE Advisory Council is an engaged group of leaders from across Houston who support EMERGE’s mission by championing students and expanding access to opportunity. Council members bring diverse perspectives and expertise, engaging with EMERGE leadership, students, and alumni to strengthen the organization’s impact. Through advocacy, connection, and investment, the Advisory Council helps advance educational and economic mobility for Houston’s next generation of leaders.
| Ace Factor | Adri Langemeier | Allison Thacker | Andrea Sankey |
| Anne Chao | Anne Whitlock | Aria Thaker | Bobbi Samuels |
| Carla Knobloch | Cathryn Selman | Chris Reichert | Claudia Vassar |
| Claudia Zettner | Doug Selman | Gerry Spedale | Janet Clark |
| Jay McKenna | Jeanne Spedale | Josephine Smith | Laura Chapman |
| Leah Barton | Meredith-Leigh Pleasants | Michael K Steward | Mike Skelly |
| Morgan Garvey | Morgan Hollins | Muriel Hague | Nydia Simon |
| Rick Cruz | Virginia Clark | Winnie Scheuer |
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
Featured District and College Partners
Aldine
Babson
Brandeis
Colby
Colgate
HISD
Klein
Notre Dame
Oxy
Pitzer
Rice
Richmond
Rochester
Spring ISD
Spring Branch
Saint Mary's
UT
Trinity
Virginia
Wabash
