Emily Halberg joined McKnight in 2025 as a program administrator for our Move the Midwest and Grants and Program Operations teams. Emily provides administrative, operations, and grantmaking support, including scheduling, meeting logistics, and contracts and expense management.
Prior to joining McKnight, Emily worked at North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS), a nonprofit focused on increasing Indigenous food sovereignty and strengthening Indigenous food systems.
Emily previously worked at Planned Parenthood, as an office assistant, and in the hospitality industry. These experiences have shaped Emily’s values and commitment to community empowerment, strategic philanthropy, and intentional systems change.
Emily gained her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of Oregon, where her studies focused on Nonprofit Management. She enjoys continuing to learn however she can.
Emily grew up in northern Minnesota near the Mississippi headwaters and moved to the West Coast for a handful of years before relocating to the metro. If Emily isn’t spending time with family or close friends, she is learning a new recipe (although she’s putting her own twist on it), at the gym, at a play, at a new restaurant, traveling, or thrifting. There’s always so much to do and learn when you’re curious!