Leading strategically to maximize missional impact is Emily Sarmiento's vocation. She aligns with Tearfund’s values of empowerment and effectiveness. As Tearfund USA’s President and CEO, Emily is a strong advocate for the theologically and developmentally sound approach of church-led community transformation.
Emily committed early to holistic mission and effective, locally-owned solutions to poverty and injustice. This was as a founding member of a Spanish-speaking church and immigrant outreach ministry during her university years. Her broad experience in international development since includes working with Heifer International to lead program operations in Latin America, fundraising with Enactus to advance global youth leadership development through economic entrepreneurship, and coordinating Convoy of Hope’s international operations, where she managed disaster response activities and helped launch their USAID programs.
Emily holds a BS in International Management and Spanish and a post-baccalaureate certificate in K-12 Education from Missouri State. She also earned a MA in Organizational Leadership for International Development through a Latin American program of Eastern University.
Before joining Tearfund in August 2020, Emily held various global leadership positions at Compassion International in the areas of church-based child and youth development programming and impact strategy redesign. She also served on the board of the Accord Network trade association for Christian relief and development in the USA. Currently, she serves on the Executive Committee for The Americas Initiative of Duke Divinity’s Center for Reconciliation.
With Emily’s unique wiring for leading teams and startup efforts, joining the launch of Tearfund USA was a homecoming for her. Here, she unites her passion and leadership experiences to advance a sustainable, impactful model that honors the role of the local church and its community.
Emily lives with her husband, Diego, and their two young children outside Denver, in rural Colorado. The family loves to play together, explore the outdoors, and host friends and family - ideally outside, around the fire pit surrounded by Ponderosa pines.
