Emma Keserich brings extensive experience from nearly a decade of work within the Government of the District of Columbia. From 2016 to 2020 while receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies from American University in Washington, DC, Emma worked part-time as an Intern in the Executive Office of Mayor Bowser to support the Mayor and her Chief of Staff in a wide range of responsibilities including, but not limited to event planning and scheduling, project management, interagency coordination, and constituent support.

Due to the high level of service provided to the Mayor’s Office, Emma began supporting the International Business team in December of 2019 and officially joined as a full-time employee in March of 2020 prior to graduation. In her role as the International Business Analyst, she assisted in executing the District’s first ever international business strategy and was responsible for managing the City’s export program (ExportDC), served as the primary liaison to strengthen and maintain relationships with over 30 embassies and over 70 economic development offices and chambers of commerce and local stakeholders, and supporting the Director’s responsibilities in attracting foreign direct investment into the City and planning for and carrying out the Mayor’s international trade missions. During her time, she assisted with the planning and execution of several virtual and in-person trade missions and B2B and B2G networking sessions.Through the ExportDC program, she assisted over 50 local businesses in expanding their operations internationally. Separate from her role in the International Business Team, she was responsible for creating and executing several small-business grant programs and also assisting with the District’s first COVID-relief grant, resulting in a total deployment of over $145,000,000.00 in grant funds to over 7,000 small businesses in DC, as well as creating and executing additional grants to other entities that provide technical assistance to local SME's. Additionally, Emma was appointed to serve on the Commission on Fashion Arts and Events; a Mayoral Commission focused on supporting and elevating the Fashion and Beauty industries in Washington, DC, for over two years.

 

Emma Keserich is passionate about the utilization of equitable international economic development to create a thriving environment for all to live, work, and play in.