Emily (M) Alemán-McAlpine

Emily Alemán-McAlpine is an experienced strategic leader dedicated to advancing equitable and inclusive systems, practices, and policies that support communities to thrive. She brings a collaborative mindset and an optimistic approach to her work, inspiring others who share her vision to collaborate with her in creating sustainable and long-term impactful change. She excels at developing relationships and partnerships to create equitable and just resources, policies, and systems that prioritize people and the planet.

In her role as the Program Director at the Wege Foundation, she led the program team in the program areas of environment, education, arts, and community health and well-being. She developed equitable systems and accessible funding with a cross-cutting focus on civic engagement, environmental sustainability, and inclusion. She also focused on centering community voice and lived experience to ensure that those most impacted co-created solutions to address issues in their communities.

As a Senior Community Liaison at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, she co-developed and managed statewide strategic partnerships while responsible for allocating corporate philanthropic funding to improve health outcomes in historically under-resourced and divested communities. She engaged diverse stakeholders including non-profit organizations, community members, government officials, and city leadership to address health outcomes and co-create community programs.

She was also the Executive Director of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan. She advocated for increased access, culturally relevant services, and just resources for the Latinx community. She co-created programs to support families in advancing economic mobility, accessing education, increasing civic engagement, and improving overall social, emotional, and physical health. 

Her commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging, while fostering a society where those most impacted help to shape the solutions, is reflected in her work with the Environmental Grantmakers Association Board, Council of Michigan Foundations Public Policy Committee, and the River Restoration Equity Stakeholder Advisory Board.