Tau finds passion and purpose in public service
Emily Tau has spent nearly 20 years in Milwaukee, but it wasn’t until nearly four years ago that she truly found the professional fit for her strengths and her passions.
She credits an unprecedented global pandemic with helping with that discovery.
It was in 2021 – while serving as a marketing and communications officer with the city’s health department – that Tau found her calling in public service.
“I think it just kind of verified for me the need to work in something that was creating positive change within our community,” Tau said.
Since that time, she has been using her passion for Milwaukee, her strength as a social connector and her communication and leadership skills to help advance racial equity throughout the area.
“Being able to be social with a purpose adds that extra level,” said Tau, who now works as director of public affairs for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. She was named the Foundation’s 2024 Jackie Herd-Barber Award recipient for her work in helping build and deepen relationships with the Foundation and for championing the Foundation’s strategic vision of building a Milwaukee for all.
Public health wasn’t a field Tau initially knew anything about. She graduated from Marquette University in 2010 with a degree in public relations and a minor in theatre arts. She spent a little less than a decade in the service industry before spending four years at VISIT Milwaukee as part of its communications team.
While thoroughly enjoying working in the tourism industry and encouraging people to explore the city and its neighborhoods, Tau felt like something was missing. That feeling intensified during the pandemic.
“It was a cool job to have, but there were moments I struggled with,” Tau said. “Milwaukee is such a great place to live, work, play and visit, but that is not true for everybody. Part of me wanted to be part of the solution.”
Tau was recruited to the health department in April 2021. She created, oversaw and monitored its strategic communications and public affairs regarding COVID-19. She also managed the department’s media relations, community relations, social media, marketing campaigns, website maintenance, graphic design and internal communication.
She received a crash course in public health over the two and a half years she served in that capacity, fully immersing herself in public health policy, data analytics and complex scientific concepts.
“I felt like I was getting my master’s degree in public health,” joked Tau who, in 2022, was named one of Wisconsin’s 35 most influential Asian American leaders. “Just being in their presence and getting to be a part of that was so fulfilling. It reiterated my want and need to continue to do things that help the Milwaukee community.”
Since 2023, she has worked to support the county’s goal of becoming the healthiest county in Wisconsin by achieving racial equity and alleviating disparities across all the social determinants of health.
“I immediately felt at home because they had just put together the first strategic plan the county had seen in over 20 years, and it’s all rooted in addressing the social determinants of health,” Tau said.
One day Tau could be attending ribbon cuttings and press conferences with the County Executive. The next day she could be creating initiatives and opportunities to address issues ranging from affordable housing to public green spaces to behavioral health services. What Tau cherishes about the role is the ability to make connections that will help strengthen the county and advance its goal to achieve racial equity.
“None of the big work that needs to be done in the city and the county – the big systemic issues - can be done by one person or one organization or one governmental body,” Tau said. “It’s about the collaboration and partnerships that make this happen.”
Since 2022, she’s been making connections on behalf of the Foundation as a member of its Community Ambassador and Adviser and Ambassador Network. A shared affinity for advancing racial equity and a desire to learn more about the Foundation’s work is what drew her to the group. She since has joined the Foundation’s Marketing and Communications Committee.
She appreciates the Foundation’s belief that philanthropy extends beyond the donation of dollars to encompass time, talent and ties, the latter of which Tau said is her strength.
“Philanthropy is often viewed as something that is primarily financially based, and if you don't have the means to donate money, you cannot have an impact on the community or causes you care about,” Tau said. “Joining CAAN reminded me that philanthropic giving can occur through sharing your time, talent, treasure, or ties. There are so many ways to give back to causes that you are passionate about.”