Emily Blackledge

From Boulder, Colorado, Emily was homeschooled through high school, allowing her learning to be tailored more directly to the interests she developed early: worldview, global politics, and post-conflict development. In 2004, after completing her undergraduate degree at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., Emily spent time in Washington, DC working as part of the President’s Initiative for Workforce Development and received her Master’s degree in International Relations and African Studies from Boston University. Returning to Nashville in 2008, she has focused her time on the disciplines of international development, social entrepreneurship, and education. Emily joined African Leadership in 2010 focused on expanding the course offerings in Africa to include courses in biblical worldview and community development. Having built strong relationships with local staff in Africa, Emily then served the organization as Vice President of International Program emphasizing local ownership and capacity development. Currently, Emily serves as African Leadership’s President. Emily and her husband, Rob, live in Nashville with their sons Fletcher, Judah, and Phineas. They like to spend their time traveling, sharing adventures, and investing in their church, Midtown Fellowship.