Emily Neapolitan is a native Californian with deep roots in both Southern and Northern California, shaped by the state’s rich ecological diversity and vibrant communities. She holds a certification in Forestry and Wildland Fire Natural Resource Management from Columbia College and currently serves seasonally with the U.S. Forest Service in wildland firefighting. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a minor in Business Administration from Notre Dame de Namur University, along with an Early Childhood Education Teaching Credential. Before pivoting into environmental fieldwork, Emily spent over 15 years in the global manufacturing industry, where she led cross-functional teams, championed sustainability-focused product initiatives, and built volunteer and philanthropy programs that made meaningful community impact across sectors.

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Her work today is centered on environmental stewardship, wildfire mitigation, pollinator habitats and equitable access to outdoor spaces. Emily has led fuels reduction and habitat restoration projects and worked with nonprofits to design programs that engage and empower underrepresented communities. She brings a unique blend of operations, outreach, and creative problem-solving to every project. When she’s not in the field or coordinating fire response, you can find Emily kayaking local waterways, backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, or creating mixed media art inspired by the natural world she’s dedicated to protecting.