Gretchen Schoenstein

Taking on the role of Interim Executive Director in May of 2010, Gretchen Schoenstein brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of Emerge and women's leadership to the organization. Gretchen is a founding board member of Emerge America, formed in 2005, and has been working with all nine affiliates since she stepped down as Executive Director of Emerge California in January 2010.  As Interim ED, she will oversee the organization through an important transition and help ensure it's growth and success.

For more than seven years, Gretchen served as the Executive Director of Emerge California, the founding ED of the original Emerge affiliate.  In this role, Gretchen provided vision for the continued development of the Emerge program. She conducted outreach to donors including the annual events, community leaders, elected officials and trainers, curriculum development, and worked with the board of directors and guides the committees.  Gretchen was also primarily responsible for ongoing program development, including initial program member recruitment, guidance and support for the program members during the program year, and developing systems for ongoing outreach to program alumni.
 
Prior to taking the job as Executive Director, Gretchen served as a volunteer board member of Emerge California.

In 2002 Gretchen helped run the Goldman Environmental Prize Ceremony, after which she served as Campaign Deputy Manager at Flex Your Power, the California Energy Conservation and Efficiency Campaign.
 
Gretchen participates in various political, women's issues and environmental events.  She also raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  She holds a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Sociology from the University of Washington.