Emily Šaras

About Emily Šaras

Emily serves as the CEO and a Data Scientist at Knowli, a data science, analytics, and research firm based in Tallahassee, FL. Knowli empowers public sector leaders and programs with data-informed decision support, improving the health and well-being of the public with actionable data science insights. She serves as Chair of the Tallahassee Technology Alliance.Emily received the Tallahassee 2024 Rotary Ethics in Business Award and was named one of the 2025 25 Women to Know in Tallahassee. In 2026, she was named a News Service of Florida Forty Under 40 Honoree. Emily is a Mensa Member and a graduate of Wellesley College (BA, magna cum laude, Honors), Central European University (MA, Honors), Northeastern University (Graduate Certificate, Leadership Studies), and Florida State University (MS; PhD). Emily received a 2019 P.E.O. Scholar Award for her dissertation research on the theory and evaluation of STEM education interventions. Other areas of Emily\'s subject matter expertise include social science, public health, healthcare, and education. She is a classically trained soprano with international concert experience.In 2010, Emily received a Fulbright Fellowship to Lithuania in ethnomusicology and opera performance, subsequently earning Smith-Mundt and Fulbright-Hays grants for her continued work in Eastern Europe. In 2012, Emily earned a fellowship to study at Central European University (CEU) in Budapest, Hungary, serving as the President of the CEU Student Union while continuing her academic research. In 2013, Emily returned to the US to serve as an AmeriCorps Massachusetts Promise Fellow, developing and implementing college and career programming for teens in Boston\'s South End. Her interest in education brought her to Florida State University, where she served as the Assistant Director of the Office of National Fellowships (20••••16) and as the Student Outcomes Analyst in the Office of Institutional Research (20••••18). Emily joined the Knowli Team in 2018 as a Tableau developer serving Florida Medicaid, subsequently advancing to corporate leadership.Emily is a co-founder of Beyond The Pantry (BTP), a non-profit dedicated to addressing basic needs insecurity in Leon County, FL through sourcing hygiene, first aid, and everyday essential items for 15+ community partner organizations. Since its inauguration in 2021, BTP has distributed $50k+ of items, earning 3rd Place in the 2021 #GiveTLH competition through the Beatitude Foundation, and additional funding from the Community Foundation of North Florida and St. John\'s Episcopal Church.

Experience

1. CEO and Data Scientist

   Knowli Data Science

   Jan 2022 — Present · Tallahassee, FL, US

   Leads Knowli at the corporate level: aligning our operational efforts with the company\'s vision of improving the health and well-being of the public. Oversees the development and implementation of strategy, leading company decision-making in alignment with evidence-based practices and our firm\'s core values.Secure and manage relations with our growing roster of clients and partners, including:· Florida Agency for Health Care Administration: Medicaid Data Analytics· Florida Department of Environmental Protection· South Carolina Healthy Connections: Medicaid· Florida Department of Children and Families: Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH)· Florida Department of Health: Office of Minority Health· Florida Department of Health: Maternal and Child Health· Texas Health and Human Services: Office of Inspector General· Florida County Department of Health: Alachua County· Independent Living Systems· United States of Care· Florida Guardian ad Litem· Southern Scholarship Foundation

Education

• Northeastern University

  Graduate Certificate, Leadership Studies

  2013 — 2014

• Hopedale Jr Sr High School

  High School Degree, Valedictorian

  2002 — 2006

• Florida State University

  Master of Science - MS, Sociology

  2015 — 2018

• Florida State University

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Sociology

  2015 — 2024

• Wellesley College

  BA, Anthropology, Music

  2006 — 2010

• Central European University

  Master of Arts (MA), Sociology and Anthropology

  2012 — 2013

• Lietuvos Muzikos ir Teatro Akademija

  Post-Baccalaureate Studies, Vocal Performance

  2010 — 2012

Skills

• History
• Volunteer Management
• Training
• Blogging
• Research
• Copy Editing
• Theatre
• Online Marketing
• Public Relations
• Proofreading
• Program Development
• Fundraising
• Tutoring
• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• International Relations
• Nonprofits
• Project Management
• Teaching
• Curriculum Development
• Event Planning
• Social Media
• Statistics
• Public Speaking
• Grants
• Editing
• Interviews
• Intercultural Communication
• Press Releases
• Higher Education
• Strategic Communications
• Data Analysis
• Translation
• Opera
• Social Networking
• Facebook
• Creative Writing
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Event Management