Robert Emmons, Jr. - Redefine Alliance

Our Vision
- Our VisionAn economy that works. for everyone.
- Who We BackWe partner with social entrepreneurs to amplify the success of their businesses and the people they employ.
- How We Do ItWe help our enterprises grow further, faster through a combination of capital, capacity building, and community support.
- ImpactOur partnership accelerates the growth and impact of the enterprises we back.
Our Work
- Our WorkWe invest in businesses that reveal and reinforce the talent of people breaking through barriers to employment.
- National Field BuildingWe invest in businesses across the country that reveal and reinforce the talents of people breaking through barriers to employment
  - CommunityCurated space and resources to help our social enterprise partners connect, grow, and lead.
  - AcceleratorA six-month cohort-based learning experience for leaders of early-stage enterprises to springboard growth.
  - GrantmakingCatalytic investments for employment social enterprises at key inflection points
  - Impact Investing FundFlexible loan capital for employment social entrepreneurs whose lived expertise is their collateral.
  - Gov. Partnerships & PolicyAdvocacy and public sector partnerships to advance the field.
  - Farber FellowshipGrad students bring cutting-edge skills and passion to help employment social enterprises reach their full potential.
- Regional EcosystemsWe’re cultivating place-based networks of social enterprises, inclusive employers, public agencies, funders, and social service partners
  - Los AngelesAn established ecosystem, focused on transformative scale
  - IllinoisA fast-expanding ecosystem, focused on policy achievement
  - AppalachiaAn emerging ecosystem, focused on seeding capacity & coordination
Investments
About
- AboutWe envision a thriving and inclusive society where all people have the jobs and the support they need to realize their full potential.
- Mission & CultureIt’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it that matters.
- Our PeopleWe’re a motley crew of leaders and learners dedicated to building an economy that works. For everyone.
- CareersKnowing your work is improving lives is not the only benefit of the job. View opportunities to join our team.
- SupportersOur generous funders and individual donors make this work possible.
- HistorySince 1997, Redefine Alliance has been using business as a force for good.
- FinancialsRedefine Alliance achieves the highest levels of accountability and transparency.
News & Research
- News & ResearchLearn the latest about the incredible work happening throughout our Redefine Alliance community
- Economic PowerExplore our research around economic power, and learn some concrete steps that employers and communities can take to help people build autonomy in their own lives.
- InsightsWe evaluate what works and share our learnings to spark action for policy and systems change.
- WorkshopWorkshop is an open, free virtual capacity building toolbox to help you build, grow, and sustain high-impact employment social enterprises.
- PressCheck out features & interviews on ESEs and inclusive employers from news outlets around the country

Impact Investing Fund Donate

Impact Investing Fund Donate

Robert Emmons, Jr., is the Illinois ecosystems manager at Redefine Alliance, where he works to strengthen relationships across the state’s employment social enterprise ecosystem and help organizations expand their impact. He is passionate about building connections, fostering collaboration, and supporting employment social enterprises as they scale their work to create more opportunities for people facing systemic barriers to employment. Robert was drawn to Redefine because he believes the economy should work for everyone and that we have a shared responsibility to reduce the systemic barriers that prevent individuals and communities from reaching their full potential.

Before joining the Redefine team, Robert partnered with a variety of mission-driven organizations focused on community development, workforce advancement, and civic engagement. His experience includes contracting with and contributing to initiatives such as the Obama Foundation’s Local Lunchbox Initiative, Dion’s Chicago Dream, March For Our Lives’ Aid and Alliance, OneGoal, and other organizations dedicated to expanding opportunity and strengthening communities. Across these roles, he developed a reputation for bringing people together, cultivating strategic partnerships, and helping organizations translate vision into meaningful community impact.

At Redefine, Robert most enjoys serving as a connector and relationship builder. He is energized by collaborating with partners across Illinois and supporting employment social enterprises as they grow their capacity, strengthen their networks, and create lasting economic opportunities for the communities they serve.

Robert earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, spending quality time with his five-year-old child, Noah Rae, and playing recreational sports.