Em Hall, Ph.D.

Strategic Consultant.

DBE Partner.

Cat Owner.

I’ve built my business around a simple principle: do good work with great people.

With a Ph.D. in Urban Planning and proven small business leadership, I deliver the rare combination of scholarly depth and entrepreneurial agility that transforms complex projects into strategic successes.

Core Expertise:

  • Integrated Marketing - Crafting cohesive campaigns that drive measurable outcomes

  • Strategic Communications - Translating technical complexity into compelling narratives

  • Project Management - Orchestrating multi-stakeholder initiatives from concept to completion

  • Market Research - Uncovering actionable insights that inform winning strategies

My Competitive Advantage: As a certified DBE consultant, I don't just bring expertise—I bring opportunity. My academic credentials open doors to rigorous analysis, while my business experience ensures practical, implementable solutions. This dual perspective makes me the strategic partner you need for projects that demand both innovation and execution.

The Bottom Line: You get a consultant who thinks like a scholar, acts like an entrepreneur, and delivers like a seasoned professional—all while helping you meet diversity goals and expand market opportunities.

Em + H Chicago is certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) with the Chicago Transit Authority. Search for NAICS 541320: Urban Planning Services and NAICS 541613: Marketing Consulting Services in the IL UCP DBE Directory.

Em + H Chicago is certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) under the State of Illinois’ Business Enterprise Program (BEP) for Minorities, Females and Persons with Disabilities.

Let’s collaborate!

Want to learn more about working with Em + H Chicago? Click the button to schedule a brief chat to start the conversation.

Where I Do My Best Work

Infrastructure projects need better storytelling. I help make that happen.

Sector: Transportation, Infrastructure, + the Built Environment

What I Do:
I help AEC firms and transportation organizations communicate clearly and inclusively. Whether it's a major corridor study, campus mobility plan, or transit P3, I translate technical complexity into strategic, human-centered content that informs and engages.

Past Work:

  • Website redesign for Gorove Slade

  • Veterans Parkway Feasibility Study (award-winning public engagement)

  • Statewide mobility management research & reports

Services Include:

  • Strategic messaging & stakeholder engagement

  • Public-facing report writing & editing

  • Transportation survey design and analysis

  • Planning communications strategy

Great research deserves a broader audience. I help bridge the gap.

Sector: Higher Education + Academic Research

What I Do:
I work with universities, research centers, and policy orgs to bring academic and applied research to life. From mixed-methods studies to conference presentations, I help make research accessible and actionable.

Past Work:

  • UIC Transportation & Mobility Survey

  • State of Transportation Planning Report (American Planning Association)

  • Publications on transit equity and public-private partnerships

Services Include:

  • Report and policy brief writing

  • Research translation and synthesis

  • Survey development and analysis

  • Editorial planning and ghostwriting

Big ideas need real-world execution. I connect strategy to action.

Sector: Project + Product Management

What I Do:
With experience in both client services and research environments, I help teams get stuff done — efficiently and effectively. I bring calm leadership, cross-sector fluency, and an eye for equity to complex projects.

Past Work:

  • Cross-team coordination for multi-year research grants

  • Content planning and QA for major report launches

  • Ongoing consulting for public sector clients

Services Include:

  • Timeline and workflow design

  • Cross-functional coordination

  • Product scoping and research integration

  • Client-facing comms and QA

Your digital presence should reflect your impact. I make sure it does.

Sector: Communications + Digital Strategy

What I Do:
I help mission-driven firms and public sector clients level up their communications — from full website overhauls to high-impact email campaigns. I combine strategic thinking with content execution to make your voice resonate.

Past Work:

  • Website planning and copy for Gorove Slade

  • Social and email campaigns for career development orgs

  • Digital storytelling strategy for planning reports

Services Include:

  • Website audits and content development

  • Copywriting and content strategy

  • Email marketing and editorial planning

  • Visual storytelling and layout (InDesign, Canva)

Sometimes what you need doesn’t fit in a box. That’s where I shine.

Sector: Interdisciplinary + Custom Projects

What I Do:
Not every project fits neatly into a category, and that’s okay. From leading panels to editing manuscripts to planning events, I’m a versatile partner who can jump in, lead, or support as needed.

Past Work:

  • Moderator, WTS International Conference (2025)

  • Guest lecturer at UIC and Eastern Washington University

  • Manuscript prep and editorial advising for peer-reviewed journals

Services Include:

  • Event planning, moderation, and facilitation

  • Editing and manuscript development

  • Guest lectures and curriculum design

  • One-off strategy or ideation sessions

Select Projects and Publications

  • Em makes a Swiss Army knife look like an Ikea allen wrench. She is pleasant to work with, articulate, hard working, FAST, accurate and above all trustworthy.

    Ali, Success Strategist in the Built Environment Sector

  • What a wonderful attitude. That is my first thought when discussing Em. Now add to that her tenacity, knowledge and desire to achieve goals and you have a true success story. Follow Em - you will be glad you did.

    George, Veteran Owned Small Business (Retired)

  • Em is the kind of person you not only want on your team, but need to have. She's on-top of all communication, delivering quick, honest and transparent feedback. Em stays positive through sticky situations and always looks for solutions instead of creating more problems.

    Ximena, Award-Winning Communications Consultant

Bonus Fun Stuff

Enjoy this photo of my cats.

Ride along IndyGo’s Red Line.