Emily Lohse-Busch is passionate about creating and sustaining organizations and programs that help improve the human condition. In her role as Executive Director, she leads the effort to make 39 North a global epicenter for agri-food tech innovation. Before coming to 39 North, Emily spent much of her career in a myriad of roles within the philanthropic and social sectors. Most recently, she served as an advisor and facilitator for organizations that are working to build and sustain a thriving economy and culture that benefits all St. Louisans. She developed a passion for innovation and the future of the St. Louis region while serving as the Executive Director at Arch Grants, an economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain extraordinary entrepreneurs to help build the future economy in St. Louis. Before Arch Grants, Emily consulted for several years with national and international NGOs and nonprofit organizations in Chicago and in Washington D.C. Emily is a proud alum of Washington University in St. Louis, and earned her MBA from DePaul University in Chicago.