A competitive swimmer at the collegiate level, Emma Whitner grew up in Orlando, Florida, and attended Lake Highland Prep. As a high school student, she was a four-time USA Diving Junior National Championship semifinalist. During her junior and senior years, she held the title of co-captain of the YCF Diving Team. In 2017, Emma Whitner enrolled at the University of Florida. Having received a University of Florida Athletic Scholarship, she studies finance and participates in Division 1 swimming and diving for the Florida Gators. She has twice received accolades as an All-American from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America.

During the 2018-2019 athletic season, Emma Whitner achieved her best career score in the one-meter event (277.05), as well as her career-high season best total in the platform event (231.80). She participated in both the SEC Championships and NCAA Diving Zones, coming in eighth place on the platform at the former and ninth place overall at the latter.

In addition to her athletic activities, Mrs. Whitner made the 2019 SEC Academic Honor Roll and the 2018 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll. In 2019, she completed a summer internship position as a mergers and acquisitions analyst at Heritage Capital Group.