Employee Spotlight: Emma Robinson on Event Planning, Teamwork, and Finding Purpose at Binaytara

Emma Robinson is the Education Programs and Fund Development Coordinator at Binaytara. She recently led the organization of Binaytara’s annual flagship conference, the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities (SCHD), and played a key role in the success of the Binaytara Gala at SCHD. Planning two large-scale events back-to-back was no easy feat, but Emma, a passionate and collaborative individual, was more than up for the challenge.

We sat down with Emma to learn more about her career journey and experiences so far. Read the full interview below as she takes us behind the scenes of planning major events and traveling for a continuing medical education conference.

Question | Binaytara: You started at Binaytara as an intern. Can you tell us about that journey and how it led to a full-time role?

Answer | Emma:

“I graduated from the University of Washington in March and started right away as an intern through the Global Health and Cancer Disparities internship. I studied International Studies with a minor in Global Health, so I was really interested in learning more about this kind of work. At the time, Binaytara was still a pretty small team, and I jumped in just as we were preparing for the gala and SCHD in 2024, which happened about a month after I started. I worked closely with Justin on the gala and with Tara and Dr. Shah on conference logistics. Not long after, Tara asked me to join full-time as a CME assistant, and from there, things just kept growing.”

Emma at her UW graduation

Q: In a short time, you have gone from supporting to leading major national events. What helped you make that transition?

A:

“It has been a lot about relying on the team. Early on, I thought, “How am I going to manage this whole thing?” But everyone is so supportive. Whether it is CME team members helping prep materials or the managers joining planning meetings I could not attend, it really showed me how important it is to delegate and collaborate. I also stay organized by breaking my tasks down and checking them off throughout the day. That helps me stay on top of everything.”

Q: Let’s talk about SCHD25. What was your role, and what was most challenging about it?

A:

“I managed faculty correspondence, working with conference chairs to invite speakers, confirm their roles, and coordinate their travel and agenda logistics. I also worked on venue planning, breakout sessions, and making sure everyone knew where to go and when. The biggest challenge was juggling all the moving parts (abstracts, sessions, travel, the gala) and making sure each one was fully planned and did not bleed into the others. Prioritizing communication and staying on top of emails became really important.”

Q: Was there a moment during the summit that stood out to you?

A:

“Yes! I got to sit in and listen to the closing debate. It was a really engaging conversation, and it felt like a full-circle moment. After running around all weekend, it was nice to pause and reflect, like, ‘Okay, this is the last piece. We did it.’”

Q: You also helped plan the Binaytara Gala. How was that experience different from the summit?

A:

“The gala was a longer planning process; we started collecting auction items early and had weekly meetings for a while. It felt a little more controllable because we were not waiting on faculty confirmations like we do with the conference. It was a lot of internal prep, creating event materials, and working closely with Justine, who has done a lot of galas before. Seeing the event through from start to finish this time was really rewarding.”

Q: From your perspective, what makes a fundraising event like the gala successful?

A:

“The energy in the room is huge. Of course, having the full team helping on-site was key, but I think what really made it work was the storytelling. The mission was front and center, in the banners, the videos, and the programming. We had an auctioneer and MC who played off each other well, and everything was tightly scripted. It kept the flow going and helped people connect to the purpose behind the evening. And it paid off. We raised 20% more than last year!”

Q: Do you look forward to planning future galas?

A:

“I do. Just not immediately! I have learned so much over the past two years, and each small win, like getting an auction item donated or figuring out how to set up an online auction, has been motivating. It is different from our usual conference work, which makes it a fun change of pace.”

Emma with Binaytara team members

Q: Binaytara organizes over 50 CME conferences a year. What does a typical week look like for you?

A:

“It really depends on what is coming up. Some weeks involve planning meetings with faculty, reviewing logistics with the team, or traveling. I just got back from Alaska for a conference—my first time there! Other times, it’s a startup week on Monday, a conference on Saturday, and flying home on Sunday. It is fast-paced, but it keeps things exciting.”

Q: What part of your work do people not realize takes so much care?

A:

“Following up with people. These are busy doctors, and sometimes they are on call and do not see your email right away. I have had to learn how to gently follow up without being pushy, and that means setting reminders, tracking conversations, and staying persistent. Communication takes a lot of attention to detail.”

Q: What is something you have learned about yourself since joining Binaytara?

A:

“I have always liked collaborative environments, but this role confirmed that for me. I have learned how much I enjoy working on a team, learning from colleagues, and helping newer interns feel supported. We each cover a lot of ground in our roles, so leaning on each other has been key.”

Q: Looking ahead, what are you most excited about, personally or professionally?

A:

“Professionally, I am really excited about the hospital project in Nepal and seeing that work continue to grow. I have also started helping mentor interns, and I would love to do more of that. Personally, I am just looking forward to learning more and making each event better than the last.”

Q: To wrap up, how would you describe your experience at Binaytara in one word or phrase?

A:

"Collaborative. Whether it is within the CME team or across departments, we rely on each other. And as an organization, we are constantly working to build partnerships with hospitals and institutions, and even in interviews like this one with the communications department. It is all about collaboration.”

Learn with Us and Drive Meaningful Impact

As a leader in global oncology, Binaytara organizes SCHD annually to address critical issues in cancer health disparities. All our CME conferences are multidisciplinary and are designed for physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals committed to advancing cancer care. We strongly believe that targeted CME and cross-institutional collaboration are essential to expanding the reach and impact of novel cancer treatments. Learn more about upcoming regional and national hematology/oncology conferences and initiatives at the Binaytara Education Academy.