The Five Lives Of Emily Greer: From St. Jude Chief To The MATA Board Resignation Controversy

Emily Greer is a name synonymous with high-level executive leadership and profound civic impact within the Memphis community. As of December 10, 2025, her career trajectory provides a fascinating case study in strategic leadership, having transitioned from a three-decade tenure at one of the world's most vital non-profits to becoming a prominent executive coach and, more recently, being at the center of a major public transit controversy.

Her legacy is built upon a foundation of thirty years of dedicated service to ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, followed by a dynamic pivot into executive mentoring. This article dives deep into her professional journey, focusing on her most recent and high-profile activities that have kept her in the Memphis headlines, including the dramatic 2023 mass resignation from the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) board.

Emily Greer: A Comprehensive Biography and Professional Profile

Emily Greer's professional life is characterized by a commitment to strategic administration, fundraising excellence, and executive mentorship. She is widely regarded as one of Memphis's most influential and ethical leaders.

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• Full Name: Emily Sawyer Greer (often cited as Emily S. Greer)
• Primary Affiliation (Historical): ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• Primary Affiliation (Current): Greer Leadership Solutions (Executive Coaching) and Vistage Worldwide, Inc.
• Key Professional Roles (ALSAC/St. Jude):
  • Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
  • Chief of Staff
  • Executive Leader (30-year tenure)
• Key Professional Roles (Civic/Recent):
  • Board Chair, Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) (Resigned 2023)
  • Vistage Chair (Executive Coach)
• Education: Christian Brothers University ('84) Alumna
• Community/Board Service:
  • Greater Memphis Chamber
  • Memphis Medical District Collaborative
  • LeMoyne-Owen College (Board of Trustees)
• Retirement from ALSAC: Announced August 2021, effective December 31, 2021

The Thirty-Year Legacy at ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Greer's longest and most impactful professional chapter was her nearly three-decade career at ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Her time at the non-profit was marked by significant growth and administrative excellence. She rose through the ranks to become a senior executive, eventually serving as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).

In her role as CAO, Greer worked directly under the Chief Executive Officer, overseeing critical operational and administrative functions that supported the hospital's massive global fundraising machine.

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The success of St. Jude in its mission to find cures and save children is intrinsically linked to the efficiency and ethical standards of ALSAC, areas where Greer’s leadership was paramount. Her work ensured that the organization maintained its high ethical standards and strong sense of empathy, which are crucial for a charity of its stature.

She retired from her executive position at the end of 2021, concluding a distinguished career that helped secure the financial future of one of the world's leading pediatric cancer research and treatment centers.

Executive Coaching and the Pivot to Greer Leadership Solutions

Following her retirement from the demanding world of nonprofit executive management, Emily Greer did not step away from leadership entirely. Instead, she channeled her decades of experience into a new venture: executive coaching and strategic leadership consulting.

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She established Greer Leadership Solutions, a Memphis-based firm dedicated to mentoring and coaching other executives.

A key part of her current professional identity is her role as a Vistage Chair. Vistage is a global organization that provides CEO coaching groups for over 45,000 executives worldwide.

As a Vistage Chair, Greer facilitates peer advisory groups, offering senior-level leaders the keen insights and strategic guidance she honed during her years at ALSAC/St. Jude. This transition highlights her dedication to servant leadership and developing the next generation of business and nonprofit executives in the Shelby County area.

The MATA Board Resignation: What Happened in 2023?

The most recent and public-facing chapter of Emily Greer’s civic service involved the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA). Greer served as the Board Chair of the MATA Board of Commissioners, a vital role overseeing the city's public transportation system.

The authority came under intense scrutiny in 2023 following a contentious search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

In a dramatic turn of events, a majority of the MATA board members, including Chair Emily Greer, Vice Chair Sandi Klink, and three other commissioners, resigned en masse.

This mass resignation occurred after Mayor Jim Strickland canceled a planned board meeting to interview two finalists for the CEO position. The mayor stated that the pool of candidates was "too narrow" and announced plans for the city to appoint a trustee to oversee MATA.

Greer, along with the other resigning members, chose to step down after the city's intervention effectively halted the board's work and independence in the critical CEO search process. The resignation was a clear statement about the perceived lack of autonomy and support for the board's efforts to stabilize the transit authority.

The controversy underscores the challenges of public service and the complexities of governance in major metropolitan areas like Memphis. For Emily Greer, the resignation marked the end of a brief but highly public civic role, reinforcing her reputation as an executive with high ethical standards who is willing to take a stand for principles of good governance.

The Impact of a Memphis Executive Leader

From her early days as an alumna of Christian Brothers University to her decades of fundraising for St. Jude and her recent role in transit governance, Emily Greer’s career is a testament to the power of committed, ethical leadership. Her work has touched the lives of countless families through her efforts at ALSAC and continues to shape the future of Memphis leadership through her Vistage and coaching roles. Her professional life offers a clear roadmap for success in both the non-profit and private sectors, emphasizing strategic administration, community involvement, and a dedication to mentorship.