Ember Harnett
When young alumni need some help finding their Hopkins network, Ember Harnett is who they need to reach. In fact, Ember has probably been looking for them. Her position as the Associate Director of Regional, Student, and Young Alumni Programs allows Ember to steward young alumni, connect them to undergraduates for mentoring opportunities, and alert undergraduates about alumni programs. She is fueled by seeing these young alumni build meaningful, long-lasting connections through her programs and events.
Ember grew up just outside of Philadelphia and studied Public Relations and Strategic Communications at Temple University. After a short stint in finance, she aimed her job search for higher-ed and landed at Johns Hopkins. Since she started with Hopkins in 2016, Ember has built a thriving network around Baltimore and earned her MBA from the Carey Business School. Ember has recently served as a co-chair for DAR’s annual talent conference. In addition, this summer she hosting an ORIGINS intern. Helping cultivate future leaders in this industry is something Ember is passionate about, and hosting an ORIGIN intern has been a delight.
What brought you to DAR?
I knew that I wanted to transition out of the finance industry, I am more of a social engager who likes project management. After looking up different areas of university departments, DAR stuck out most and matched my interests for a long-term career.
How did you get into the development and alumni relations field?
My sister was in higher education, and I saw it was a mix of public relations and strategic planning, very up my alley. I also have a background in fundraising from when I was in high school and college. I raised funds for the National Coalition of the Homeless, Sharsheret [a Jewish Breast Cancer Organization], and the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. I always loved engaging with people to raise awareness for a purpose. I ended up applying for a position at the School of Education at Hopkins in 2016 and started my new journey as Development Coordinator. I did not realize how involved DAR is across the institution, but when I started, I never looked back.
What accomplishment are you most proud of (work and/or personal)?
Becoming an alumna of the Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School with an MBA in Leading Organizations. This was a huge accomplishment, and one which I am so proud of. Three years of hard work! It ties into my proud personal accomplishment of creating a large network in a brand-new city. It is so important to network and get to know new people across all different backgrounds, and I am proud that I can say that I have created a very fulfilling life in Baltimore.
What do you like most about your job?
I like creating events that pull in a diverse set of alumni who would not meet without our event. I recently went to Chicago for an alumni happy hour event, and most of the young alumni that attended were new to the city. Fast forward six months later, a couple who went to their first alumni event met another couple, and now they are attached at the hip. That is what my job is about: creating long-lasting relationships that deepen alumni’s connection to Johns Hopkins University.
In addition, I love that every day is different. I can be working with my Alumni Student Ambassadors on campus during the day and, by the evening, be in Philadelphia with my young alumni community for a happy hour.
I also enjoy my job because of the team that I am on. We work together, and the titles are not at the forefront of everyone’s agenda. No one is too high up to help move equipment across campus or help print name tags. We all work together and make time to learn about each other. I enjoy my work and thrive at it because of my Regional, Student, and Young Alumni Programs team.
What do you like to do when you are not working (hobbies, activities, etc.)?
My husband and I love running on the track at our local high school when the weather is nice. We can let the day’s work melt off, focus on ourselves, and reset.
I also love a good brunch! Nothing like Sunday brunch with my gal pals.
Please share something others may not know about you (a hidden talent, a unique accomplishment, etc.).
In college, I was an on-air personality for Wired 96.5, Friday nights from 6-9 pm. I would co-host a show with Buster, who is still on the radio. We would talk about daily entertainment news, and I would give the perspective of what was trendy on the college front. The station was Philly’s #1 party station, playing all of the top hits, and I shared stories of my college adventures and engaged our viewers to tune in and connect with what I had to share.