Emily Francis

Senior Policy and Outreach Manager

Emily brings more than 20 years of nonprofit experience — organizing, advocacy, outreach, fundraising and more — to her role with SELC, including work with The Public Interest Network, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Virginia League of Conservation Voters. She monitors Virginia state government in Richmond and works with SELC’s Virginia attorneys, elected officials, nonprofit partners and community leaders to advance solutions to our environmental problems. 

Her current focus is on protecting rivers, streams and drinking water from multiple pollution threats, including industrial chemicals like PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” Additionally, she works with community leaders to oppose unnecessary gas infrastructure that not only increases the local pollution burden on neighbors but also locks residents and ratepayers into decades of costly climate emissions – costly in terms of energy bills and climate impacts.

One of her favorite places is the James River Park System — which is in walking distance of her home. She can watch the sun rise from the shores of Texas Beach with nothing but the sounds of nature.

Previous experience

• B.S., Rutgers University
• With SELC since 2021