Emily Jacobs

Emily Jacobs is a seasoned leader in interpretation, environmental education, and professional development with a career that spans almost three decades. Her work has taken her from national parks and forests to state agencies and national associations, where she's led with a focus on inclusive, engaging, and meaningful public programming.

Emily also has a passion for bringing people to together to teach skills for civil dialogue through organizations such as Citizen University and with her real passion, Braver Angels (BA). She has worked as a volunteer with BA since 2019 and serves as a alliance co-chair, Zoom event manager and workshop moderator.

Before founding Story Quilters, Emily led statewide interpretive services for Washington State Parks, partnering closely with Tribes and championing equity and inclusion. Previous to that, she spent a decade at the National Association for Interpretation, overseeing global certification programs and pioneering virtual training during the pandemic. Her earlier career included interpretive roles in national parks like Yosemite and Acadia, where she focused on strategic planning, bilingual outreach, interpretive management and climate education.

Emily’s roots in education are just as strong. She’s designed professional development programs for K-12 teachers, developed environmental education curricula, and worked hands-on with students in outdoor and residential settings. From snowshoe walks at Snoqualmie Pass to directing science camps at Acadia National Park, she’s always brought energy and innovation to experiential learning.

Her professional path reflects not just expertise but also a passion for storytelling, community connection, and the natural world. Whether leading statewide initiatives, mentoring future interpreters, or facilitating hands-on learning in the field, Emily brings both vision and heart to everything she does.

Emily was also honored to be the national award recipient of National Association for Interpretation’s Interpretive Manager of the Year in 2024.