Emma is passionate about strengthening Dorset’s VCS and championing the voices of people and organisations who are often underrepresented. With a career rooted in equity, inclusion, and community‑led practice, she brings a blend of strategic insight and hands‑on experience to the Assembly.
Emma is the Director of Operations at International Care Network (ICN), a charity supporting asylum seekers and refugees. Her work focuses on ensuring compassionate, high‑quality support for people rebuilding their lives, alongside leading organisational development, HR, finance, and service delivery.
Before joining ICN, Emma was Head of Engagement at Community Action Network (CAN), where she led strategic partnerships, sector-wide engagement, income diversification, and digital transformation projects. She championed inclusive practice and ensured services were shaped by community needs. Prior to this, at Citizens Advice BCP, she oversaw the integration of three local services and led social policy work on housing, benefits, and debt—advocating for systemic change alongside MPs and local authorities.
Emma is committed to collaboration across the VCS, statutory partners, and the wider Integrated Care System. She has served as a trustee and school governor, and has led initiatives focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion, including the Ethnically Diverse Communities project and Total Equity Dorset.
Values‑driven and community‑focused, Emma is dedicated to ensuring the Dorset VCS Assembly remains representative, connected, and responsive—supporting a thriving sector where every organisation has a voice in shaping the future of the county.