Emma Harrington
Memphis,TN
Summary
Program and operations leader with experience managing complex, multi‑site systems across school and nonprofit settings. Known for strong critical thinking, organization, and attention to detail, with a practical approach to improving how work gets done. Builds trust‑based relationships, uses information thoughtfully to guide decisions, and brings structure, clarity, and follow‑through to fast‑paced environments.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Director II (PD2)
YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South
Memphis, TN
06.2025 - Current
- Oversee 11 before‑ and after‑school and summer camp programs across Millington, Bartlett, and Arlington, supporting 600+ children/families and 70 staff.
- Directly support six sites and supervise a Program Director 1 over five additional programs; previously managed all sites independently during a district‑wide leadership transition.
- Design and manage staffing and scheduling systems to meet DHS requirements while improving supervision quality and program engagement.
- Plan and deliver ongoing training and professional development, including monthly Site Director trainings, large‑scale staff trainings (100+ participants), and leadership retreats; develop all materials based on observed needs and site‑level data.
- Build and maintain clear documentation and tracking systems (SOPs, rosters, training and curriculum trackers, emergency protocols) to support accuracy, usability, and consistency across programs.
- Review operational data (incident trends, training completion, curriculum implementation, staffing stability) to identify patterns and use findings to guide coaching, supervision, and targeted site improvements.
- Lead meetings and maintain relationships with principals, district partners, parents, DHS licensing consultants, and internal departments to ensure alignment, responsiveness, and trust.
Program Director I (PD1)
YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South
Memphis, TN
11.2024 - 05.2025
- Improved relationships with Arlington School District through targeted staffing strategies and implementation of a daily curriculum-based schedule, strengthening partnerships and increasing positive feedback from teachers, administrators, and families.
- Built and managed relationships with Fayette County Schools, hiring and coaching a high-performing Site Director focused on enrollment growth and program quality.
- Supported continuous improvement efforts by identifying program challenges, coordinating responsive solutions, and documenting outcomes to inform future decision-making.
- Collaborated across internal departments to align staffing, programming, and partner expectations, strengthening systems consistency and service delivery.
- Contributed to organization-wide improvement initiatives by sharing best practices and supporting peer training in program implementation and quality standards.
Full-Time Site Director
Macon Hall Elementary, YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South
Memphis, TN
08.2022 - 11.2024
- Led day-to-day operations of a high-capacity afterschool program, expanding staff from 7 to 15 and serving 150+ students while improving compliance, documentation, and program quality.
- Partnered with school administration to secure six additional classroom spaces, increasing access and program capacity beyond cafeteria and gym use.
- Served on the Inclusion Team, facilitating staff trainings, parent outreach, and hiring of Inclusion Assistants to ensure programs were accessible and responsive to diverse learner needs.
- Monitored program performance indicators and operational data to identify trends, guide staffing decisions, and improve service delivery.
- Recognized as 2023 Rookie of the Year (1 of 2 selected organization-wide) for high-impact leadership and rapid program growth.
Middle School Math Educator
Kirby Middle School
Memphis, TN
08.2020 - 07.2022
- Used student performance data (quarterly exams and i-Ready results) to analyze trends, adjust instructional strategies, and improve student retention and mastery of math standards by 15%.
- Designed and facilitated virtual engagement sessions during COVID-19 to maintain student connection, resulting in increased participation and engagement during academic instruction.
Education
Bachelor of Social Work -
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, MOSkills
- Process Improvement & Systems Thinking
- Data‑Informed Decision Making
- Project Coordination & Follow‑Through
- Documentation & Systems Management
- Facilitation & Stakeholder Engagement
- Cross‑Organizational Collaboration
- Training, Coaching & Team Development
- Operational Planning & Compliance
- Google Workspace (expert)
- Microsoft Office (proficient)
Certification
- Trauma-Informed Care Training (Relational Safety & Adverse Childhood Experiences) – Feb 2025
- YMCA Leadership Academy Graduate (9-Month Program: Emotional Intelligence, Leading Others, Team Building) – Sep 2023 – May 2024
- Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Training
Timeline
Program Director II (PD2)
YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South
06.2025 - Current
Program Director I (PD1)
YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South
11.2024 - 05.2025
Full-Time Site Director
Macon Hall Elementary, YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South
08.2022 - 11.2024
Middle School Math Educator
Kirby Middle School
08.2020 - 07.2022
Bachelor of Social Work -
Saint Louis University