In Emma’s 18 years with the ADB she has had considerable exposure to policy-based operations (budget support) spanning the development of reform roadmaps, sequencing reform priorities, providing technical assistance, working with governments and development partners to implement agreed reform matrixes, and monitoring their outcome. Most recently her focus is the strategic planning of country operations, policy-based lending, and quality oversight of operations in Southeast Asia.
Highlights of her ADB career include supporting development of a precautionary financing option for the Cook Islands as it recovered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and guiding Fiji’s resilience-focused policy-based operation. She also oversaw the piloting of ADB’s first contingent disaster financing program, and the widespread uptake of this modality across the Pacific.
Emma gained her initial work experience in various economic research positions in the Australian commonwealth public service and spent time with the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Fiji. She holds a B.Agr.Sc. and B.Econ from the University of Queensland, Australia and an M. Econ from the University of New England, Australia.
