About Our founders
Have You Met Newark? LLC was founded in 2012 by Emily Manz and Antonio Valla. Both planners and residents of Newark, each has a deep love for the city’s history, present, and future and bring insights and fun to their tour.
Emily, a grad of the University of Delaware, and a MA grad of Central European University, moved to NJ for her MA in City & Regional Planning at Rutgers. Moving to Newark in 2012 to work in economic development, she runs her own economic development consulting firm, EMI Strategy, where she works with municipalities, states and regions on economic development marketing and business attraction. She serves on the board of Gallery Aferro, as well as the City of Newark's 350th Anniversary Commission. She is also a member of the Northeastern Economic Development Association.
Antonio completed undergrad at Dartmouth in 2015 and a graduate degree in urban planning at Harvard in 2008. Having worked in Newark real estate development since 2008, he moved to Newark in 2011. Both serve on a variety of boards in Newark.
Have You Met Newark runs Have You Met Newark Tours, Nom Nom Newark Tours, and is partner on Brick City Bar Crawl.
Emily, a grad of the University of Delaware, and a MA grad of Central European University, moved to NJ for her MA in City & Regional Planning at Rutgers. Moving to Newark in 2012 to work in economic development, she runs her own economic development consulting firm, EMI Strategy, where she works with municipalities, states and regions on economic development marketing and business attraction. She serves on the board of Gallery Aferro, as well as the City of Newark's 350th Anniversary Commission. She is also a member of the Northeastern Economic Development Association.
Antonio completed undergrad at Dartmouth in 2015 and a graduate degree in urban planning at Harvard in 2008. Having worked in Newark real estate development since 2008, he moved to Newark in 2011. Both serve on a variety of boards in Newark.
Have You Met Newark runs Have You Met Newark Tours, Nom Nom Newark Tours, and is partner on Brick City Bar Crawl.
Press
Have You Met Newark has been featured in a number of publications:
Video
Our Co-Founder Emily Manz has been interviewed for our unique take on tourism, check it out here:
Have You Met Newark Co-Founder Emily Manz - Interview with Steve Adubato, One-on-One
100 People Foundation Interview with Have You Met Newark Tours Co-Founder, Emily Manz
TedxBroadStreet with Have You Met Newark? Co-Founder, Emily Manz
100 People Foundation Interview with Have You Met Newark Tours Co-Founder, Emily Manz
TedxBroadStreet with Have You Met Newark? Co-Founder, Emily Manz
Newsletters
We love sending out updates, but just when there's news fit to print. Track our progress and growth of Have You Met Newark through our newsletters!