Em-J is a marketing ace with a background in tech, entertainment and publishing. She began her career at McSweeney’s after hitting it off with bestselling author, Dave Eggers, when he visited the University of Illinois in 2011. Em-J left the Midwest for San Francisco two weeks after college graduation and soon started working for Dave and his wife, celebrated author, Vendela Vida. Since her first job at McSweeney’s, Em-J has led research, editing and marketing for over 50 titles, including Eggers’s A Hologram for the King, The Circle, Heroes of the Frontier and The Monk of Mokha. Em-J has supported indie writers working on their first works and industry veterans on acclaimed manifestos. In 2023, in partnership with Mea Woodruff and designer, Erica Ekrem, Em-J published her first book, When Women Gather: A Decade with Spirit Weavers. ✨

Em-J met Academy-Award winning actress Frances McDormand in a small surf town in West Marin. After an initial meeting over tea and knitting, Fran asked Em-J to join her team for post-production of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, then, Nomadland. It was a thrill and honor to work for a force like Fran (she won Best Actress twice when Em-J was working for her) but a new opportunity in tech was knocking… 🍎

Em-J landed a role on Apple’s Industrial Design team. As a creative curious about corporate tech, she made the leap to Apple Park. One day, she picked a few Fujis in the company’s orchard— a nice snack for the shuttle ride home. A few days later, employees received the memo not to harvest the fruit growing on campus. Em-J sought greener pastures and landed in the wild world of Silicon Valley’s startups. 🏴‍☠️

Em-J's a word nerd, brand wonk and data enthusiast. She’s a published writer, (National Geographic Adventure, United Airlines and Smith Journal, among others) ripping surfer, cosmic dj and amateur drummer.

She checks her inbox often and loves to make
magic happen.