Mrs. Gwen Emmett is a well-known community leader and advocate whose contributions to Houston/Harris County are broad. She is chairman of the board for BakerRipley. Previously, she served as chairman of the Mental Health America Houston board of directors, board member of The Immunization Partnership, and board member for Communities in Schools.

Beyond her official roles, Mrs. Emmett has been a respected mentor and advisor to many individuals throughout the Houston area, playing a key role in improving access to primary health care for all residents.

Mrs. Emmett and her husband of 43 years, former Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, are both committed to actively encouraging initiatives that provide preventive health care and impactful programs to bring about real change in the people’s lives.

With her vision for a regional health system that focuses on primary care and health homes for every citizen, Mrs. Emmett supports many of the community providers, programs, and efforts that are currently in place in Harris County.

Mrs. Emmett grew up in Houston and graduated from Bellaire High School. She then graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and taught Texas History for the Houston Independent School District. She has also taught kindergarten and been involved in children’s education in various venues through the years.

The Emmetts lived in Kingwood in the 1970’s and 1980’s while raising their four children. During this time, while Judge Emmett served four terms as State Representative, Mrs. Emmett founded and was active in the Kingwood Area Republican Women’s Club. They moved to Washington DC as part of President George H.W. Bush’s administration in 1990, returning to Houston in 2003.

The Emmetts have four children and thirteen lively grandchildren.