Emily Pilloton-Lam is an American architectural designer, builder, educator, and author. She founded Project H Design in 2008, a nonprofit organization aimed at promoting design initiatives that address humanity, habitats, health, and happiness. In 2013, she transitioned the organization to focus specifically on empowering young girls and gender-expansive youth through design and building projects, rebranding it as Girls Garage. Emily has taught as a visiting professor at institutions such as UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and Stanford University. She has also presented her work on platforms like TED and has been featured in the documentary film If You Build It.

Emily Pilloton-Lam grew up in Chicago, Illinois, and Marin County, California. She developed an early interest in design, often building structures with her Quadro set. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from UC Berkeley in 2003, she pursued a Master of Fine Arts at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, graduating in 2005. During her studies, she focused on the intersection of design and social impact, laying the groundwork for her future endeavors. ​

In 2008, Emily founded Project H Design to leverage design as a tool for social change. She initiated Studio H, a design-build program for high school students in Bertie County, North Carolina, one of the state's poorest regions. This program allowed students to engage in full-scale community projects, such as the Windsor Farmers Market, fostering both skill development and community improvement. Her innovative approach was documented in the film If You Build It. In 2013, recognizing the need to address gender disparities in design and construction, she established Girls Garage in Berkeley, California, the first dedicated design and building workspace for girls in the U.S. Through these initiatives, Emily has empowered numerous young individuals to contribute meaningfully to their communities.