Emily Birch is the Operations Director at the Street Food Institute and Barelas Community Kitchen, where she supports small food entrepreneurs through workforce development, shared kitchen access, and community-based programming. Her work focuses on creating equitable pathways to economic opportunity while strengthening neighborhood connections. Emily collaborates with nonprofits, schools, and local businesses to build systems that support sustainable livelihoods and vibrant communities. She is passionate about housing affordability and livability as essential components of economic stability and community resilience in Albuquerque.