Emma Koropp

Background

About Emma Koropp

I’m a creative problem-solver dedicated to driving forward-thinking initiatives at the intersection of climate, sustainability & social justice. With expertise as a program builder, manager & strategist, I excel at transforming mission-driven ideas into actionable projects that deliver measurable impact. Some of my core identifiers: Strategic Innovator I do my best (and favorite) work when bringing ambitious ideas to life. At the UPenn GSE Center for Professional Learning, I pioneered a new model for their Project-Based Learning for Global Climate Justice program. This initiative connected educators globally for a synchronous, day-long hybrid workshop, empowering them to create climate-focused, locally relevant projects. Over 3 months, I developed the event timeline, trained partners in 6 countries to facilitate, created a guidebook, and designed a framework to measure impact. Under my leadership as Program Director, the first Global Design Sprint trained 6 facilitators who led nearly 70 educators across Europe, Asia, and Africa, creating climate justice projects benefiting 150+ schools and 2,400 students. Collaborative Connector I am passionate about helping others learn and connect with new ideas. I specialize in uniting diverse fields to work toward common goals, especially in university settings. While developing the 2024 curriculum for Penn GSE’s PBL for Global Climate Justice program, I created a repository of interviews with researchers, professors, and staff to explore interdisciplinary aspects of climate justice. By engaging stakeholders, drawing connections across disciplines, and building rapport with experts, I conducted over a dozen interviews on topics from natural disaster recovery to international human rights law to disease ecology. Proactive Problem-Solver I’m known for setting ambitious goals and finding innovative solutions. At UChicago Urban Education Institute, I noticed that students at a partner charter school were disengaged in chemistry. In response, I designed and implemented an afterschool program, including seven 2-hour workshops, two field trips, and a facilitator’s guide for future iterations. I secured funding from UChicago’s Physical Sciences department, hired a co-teacher, and led lessons, labs, and guest speakers. My creativity and adaptability drive my work. Even in my master’s studies, I designed an individualized concentration combining environmental science with education policy and curriculum development. If you're looking for an innovative, mission-driven strategist, I’d love to connect.