Raised by a social worker and a preschool teacher, Emily Mueller was taught to appreciate and respect public service, diversity and humankind. Mueller is the director of community investments at United Way for Southeastern Michigan, where she manages the organizationÕs multi-million-dollar grant-making portfolio and relationships with more than 100 nonprofit organizations. During the pandemic, she helped facilitate a partnership with Oakland County to distribute $10 million in grants for mental health services. She also serves on the ECHO Advisory Council, which is responsible for cultivating community input to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities in Oakland County. A Farmington Hills resident, Mueller earned her bachelorÕs degree in political science and communication from Loyola University of Chicago and her masterÕs degree in social work from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. The information presented here was accurate as of Jan. 1, 2026.