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Kim Emch

Founder and Executive Director, Festa

Kimberly J. Emch is a rare first-hand knowledge speaker in a world where 90% of information we learn is from second-hand sources. As an innovative nonprofit founder, social justice entrepreneur, and high-energy communicator Kim mobilizes communities to address suburban poverty through practical solutions resulting in life-changing relationships and stronger communities that move people out of poverty. She is known for compelling, inspirational storytelling and real-world tools that audiences can apply immediately and her ability to unite large groups of diverse people and partners around a shared cause.

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Speaking Topics

  • The Essence of Ethnic Difference (Dr. Edwin Nicols' Training): A practical, hopeful framework for understanding ethnic differences and building healthy cross-cultural relationships that strengthen communities.

  • Poverty Simulations & Presentations: Immersive experiences and teaching that reveal the hidden realities of poverty and activate audiences toward meaningful, dignity-centered responses.

  • Volunteering: Mobilizing the Community to Serve: How to recruit, train, empower, and retain volunteers in a way that builds belonging and produces measurable community impact.

  • Shame & Honor (Biblical-Based): A biblically grounded look at shame and honor dynamics, and how understanding them transforms communication, discipleship and neighbor-care.

  • Eastern & Western Culture: A bridge-building session on cultural worldview differences and how to lead, communicate, and serve more effectively across them.

  • Flagship Programs at Festa: Real-world blueprints and stories behind Festa’s Summer Lunch Camps and 3-Generation Family English (Family ESL) programs - why it works and how to replicate it.

  • Business ESL: English is the first rung on the workforce ladder. Creating out of the box English language solutions to meet corporate, individual and community needs.

  • Founder’s Story: Finding a Community Need & Doing Something About It: Kim’s journey from noticing a gap to building a movement—practical lessons in courage, listening and launching what your community truly needs.

  • Bringing People Together Across Lines of Difference: Tools for building trust across socio-economic, cultural, racial, ethnic, and religious differences through life-changing relationships.

  • Rallying Community Support Around a Cause: How to unify schools, churches, nonprofits, businesses and neighbors into one shared mission with clarity, joy and staying power.

  • Current Trends Affecting Adult ESOL Learners and Programs: barriers learners face, assessments and placements of learners, wrap-around services and funding for programs.

Interested in booking Kim Emch for a speaking engagement?

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Awards & Recognition

  • 5 Nonprofits To Watch 2026 Award by The Columbus Fondation 

  • Stand Together Catalyst Impact Grant program recipient (2025 & 2026)

  • Stand Together Catalyst Program graduate (2023)

  • Stand Together Foundation “Most Transformative Nonprofits” (2021)

  • 2018 Graduated from DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative

  • Awarded ‘Friend of Public Education’ by Central Region of the Ohio School Boards Association in 2017

  • One of 20 Columbus Ohio finalists for a 2017 Jefferson Award

  • New American Advisory Council for the Franklin County Board of Commissioners 2017–2022

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  • 2016 Junior League of Columbus Community Award Winner

  • Former board member of Mission Columbus 2015–2019

  • 2015 the Hilliard Free Summer Lunch Program was named “Ohio’s summer nutrition program of the year” by Children’s Hunger Alliance

  • Capital University’s 2012 Alumni Distinguished Service Award

  • Sunny 95’s 20 Most Outstanding Women 2012

  • Asset Builder Award 2010

  • Living Faith Award 2009

  • Young Church Woman 2008

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