Emily Elliott

She/Her/Hers

Group Sales and Programs Assistant

Patron Experience, Ticketing, and Group Sales — Marketing, Communications & Enterprise

About Emily

At Chautauqua Institution, I work in the Group Sales and Senior Programs department. We are responsible for bringing in a variety of groups that come for both short- and long-term activities. The short-term groups are usually commercial bus groups who attend the Institution for a particular lecture, a historic tour of the grounds, and/or a meal at the Athenaeum Hotel. We also arrange stays at the hotel for group travel such as college alumni, symphony patrons, and a variety of other community organizations. Our largest groups come from the Road Scholar organization for which we organize both in season and shoulder season conferences at the Athenaeum Hotel. In addition, our office is responsible for the Chautauqua on a Budget Program that takes place the last two weeks of the season. It is always a pleasure to meet the new guests of these programs, and it has been a joy to see how many of our guests come each year and to get to know them more personally.

Prior to working at the Institution, I was a high school history teacher. I also worked for many years at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am a graduate of Denison University and St. Bonaventure. I have a daughter and currently live in Mayville, New York.

I graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with my master’s degree in organizational leadership in 2006. I’m an active member of the Society of Human Resources nationally and regionally and have attended National Conferences for Human Resources and Talent Strategy. In 2015, I was certified as a Human Resources Professional and continued my education to recertify in 2019. I also completed a certificate program for Strategic Human Resources Leadership at Cornell University in 2019.

Why did you choose to work at Chautauqua? What do you like about working at Chautauqua?

The role of Human Resources in any organization is to be a strategic business partner, trusted advisor, thought leader, and, at the core, a manager of people. Chautauqua Institution’s culture and values are uniquely focused on recruiting and retaining diverse talent. We are a tapestry of life-long learners, entrepreneurial spirits, creatives and innovators, and collaborative industry leaders with a vibrant enthusiasm for the delivery of our mission. The Institution’s culture and its people were the catalysts accepting this pivotal career opportunity as human resources director in June 2018.

Current and Former Volunteer or Board Roles

I served as Board President for the ‘Promise to Care Fund’ 501(c)(3) at Scott Enterprises until my departure in 2018. I was trained for board service by the Non-Profit Partnership and served on the Board of Directors for the Barber National Institute in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Professional Affiliations

Society of Human Resources Professionals, National and Buffalo Chapters.

Personal Interests

While I’ve invested my career in western New York, I reside in Erie, Pennsylvania. I’m an outdoor adventurer in all seasons: hiking, running, cross-country skiing, hunting and swimming, with a (still going) New Year’s resolution to visit each national park. I’m a chef at home and a traveler at heart who seeks new experiences in culinary and outdoor destinations.