NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE CERTIFICATE

Emily K. Caldwell was raised in a suburb of Chicago, Oak Park, Illinois. After High School, she went on to study at Viterbo University in Wisconsin, receiving her bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies. She began her studies for her Masters in Spanish at Illinois State University, where she left the States for a year to study in Madrid, Spain.

Her job history has ranged from implementing International Programs at Illinois Central College, teaching Spanish at Illinois State University and Illinois Central College, working for BCA, an international education non-profit organization in Pennsylvania, as Coordinator for College and University Relations to founding her own nonprofit and working for an online Doctoral degree.

When working at BCA, she had an opportunity to take a group to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Emily was dazzled by its beauty and magnificence, but was also disturbed by the troubling conditions for the residents of the island. After speaking with local residents, she became more aware of the acute economic challenges they faced and the inadequate access to healthcare and education. After moving to the islands,  Emily began organizing programs to address these problems in 2005, and founded Galapagos ICE (Immerse Connect Evolve) in 2006. She brought more than 500 volunteers, doctors, dentists, teachers, from 22 countries to the islands to help serve the people.  She organized the donation of 100 wheelchairs, built eco-playgrounds, worked with domestic violence and hypertension and diabetes programs and so much more, this is just a small glimpse of what she accomplished in the islands. 

Her hard work was recognized and was interviewed by Dan Rather for his program 'Dan Rather Reports' concerning the conditions of islanders in 2008. In 2009, Emily was featured in Christian Science Monitor's piece: 'People Making a Difference'. That same year, she received the Outstanding Alumni Award, the 'Spirit of St. Francis' by Viterbo University. The Santa Cruz Island Municipal Government awarded her non-profit the 'Collaboration Merit'.

In 2014, Emily had to close the nonprofit due to a family tragedy and in 2015 moved back to the States. In South Carolina, she began working as the first Executive Director of  'Education Equals Hope', an international non-profit that supports education in countries around the world. While working there, she also worked on a Nonprofit Management Certificate Program at Winthrop University. Wanting to delve into learning more about nonprofits, she moved to Lynchburg, VA, to begin her Masters in Nonprofit Leadership which was accomplished in 2020. While in Lynchburg, she earned a certification as a Google Trainer and a Hootsuite Certified Social Media Professional.  Recently Emily became a Global Gallup Strengths Coach and received her certificate in Nonprofit Board Consulting through BoardSource.

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Today she is working at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC as the Assistant Director of StrongPoints, which was created with CliftonStrengths principles. She is an adjuct at the University of Lynchburg teaching "Leading Boards and Staff"  and "Principles of Leadership" for the Masters of Nonprofit Leadership program. She is also the owner of Caldwell Coaching and Consulting LLC.  

In her free time, she likes to travel with her Ecuadorian husband, watch futbol (soccer) and make handmade cards.

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She continues to prepare for the course as she reads through the applications and questionnaires to ensure the students get as much out of the course as possible. Students have already started to receive orientation information and videos to prepare them for the online program.  We are ready for you!