Emma Banay

As a teacher, I loved working with young people to understand how they make sense of the world, and I saw firsthand how critical it is to have the time, support, and resources to create engaging science experiences that match students’ innate curiosity.

Emma Banay, Senior Portfolio Manager, leads the Foundation’s Future Readiness portfolio, which seeks to help students develop the cognitive skills, meaningful connections, and sense of agency needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Emma led STEM initiatives at ExpandED Schools, New York City’s afterschool intermediary, forging partnerships with school districts, community-based organizations, city agencies, and regional STEM organizations to deliver high-quality STEM programming. Throughout her career, Emma’s work has focused on developing and scaling direct service interventions alongside field-building efforts. Previously, she facilitated the NYC STEM Education Network, an affiliate of the national STEM ecosystems movement, and taught science as a classroom teacher.

Emma received an M.S. in Education Policy from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in History and Science from Harvard University. She lives in New Haven, CT—home of what she believes is the best pizza in the world—and enjoys hiking, gardening, and sewing in her free time.