Emma Yourd

About Emma Yourd

I’ve always been drawn to complex problems that require people and institutions to work differently together.I started my career in international development, designing capacity-building initiatives that strengthened institutions and public systems. In those roles, I helped develop and manage large-scale USAID-funded programs of $25+ million and learned how much sustainable progress depends on strong partnerships, effective organizations, and funding strategies aligned with real community needs.After six years in Washington, DC, I transitioned into economic and community development in the United States to work more directly with the organizations and communities I hoped to support. That shift clarified something central to how I work best: I thrive when helping organizations solve problems at a systems level.Throughout my career, I’ve raised more than $150 million in competitive federal and philanthropic funding. Just as important, I’ve helped organizations build the partnerships and internal systems that make ambitious funding strategies possible. I’ve led nonprofit consortiums as they co-designed solutions to shared strategic and operational challenges—bringing together nonprofits, philanthropy, government, and industry around a common vision. I\'ve also strengthened grantmaking systems, redesigned application processes to reduce burden on nonprofit partners, and implemented internal SOPs to improve data-driven decision-making around pursuit strategy.Today, I lead Education and Workforce Development partnership strategy at the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, where I build collaborations between manufacturers, community colleges, and economic development organizations to strengthen the advanced manufacturing workforce pipeline. Most recently, I led the workforce strategy for a $160M NSF Engines proposal supporting Florida’s emerging manufacturing ecosystem.Across these roles, my work consistently focuses on building collaboratives, designing sustainable funding strategies, and helping organizations develop the capacity to pursue ambitious ideas.Areas of focus include:• Federal and philanthropic grant strategy• Economic and community development• Workforce development and advanced manufacturing ecosystems• Cross-sector partnerships and coalition building• Nonprofit capacity building and grant readiness• Strategic proposal development and budget designIf you’re working at the intersection of economic development, workforce systems, philanthropy, or nonprofit capacity building, let\'s connect!

Experience

1. Senior Education and Workforce Development Partnership Manager

   ARM Institute

   May 2024 — Present · Pittsburgh, PA, US

   Managing the Education & Workforce Development (EWD) federal, state, local, and foundation grant proposals as well as national and regional outreach activities. Includes responsibility for regional and community outreach and relationship management to build impactful programs across the ARM ecosystem, including managing the Education & Workforce Advisory Committee (EWAC).

Education

• University of Pittsburgh School of Public and International Affairs

  Master of Public Administration - MPA, Urban Studies/Affairs

  2018 — 2020

• The Graduate Institute, Geneva

  International Economics

  2011 — 2011

• University of Geneva

  International Economics

  2011 — 2011

• Smith College

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Economics

  2008 — 2012