Erica’s Bio

My love of dance began in my basement, trying to emulate Janet Jackson’s “Pleasure Principle” video, chair stunts and all. I went on to choreograph talent shows in school and found that dance helped me move through some of the toughest moments of my upbringing. I competed in Salsa, Hustle, Cha-Cha, Rumba, and West Coast Swing and performed in dinner-dance theatrical productions choreographed by Arte Phillips.

Something cracked open during my certification training in 2017 with Amara Pagano and the Path of Azul. I discovered a new way of moving from the inside out rather than following choreography. That transformation became a calling. Now I facilitate Embodied Youth 360 experiences for children, along with embodied storytelling experiences and film projects that draw on my passion for human development, creativity, and leadership.

My passion for coaching and mentorship began with two “Littles,” Mattie and Brianna, through the Big Brothers Big Sisters foundation. I was matched with Mattie when she was seven years old. She is now 23 and we are still matched today, sixteen years and counting. Long before I ever coached an executive, I was learning what it means to show up for someone consistently and remain committed over the long haul while their life is still unfolding.

That experience continues to shape the way I mentor today. I believe young people need adults who can meet them with curiosity, steadiness, and humor. I draw on neuroscience, communication, creativity, and real-life experiences to help young people develop confidence, move through challenges, and discover more of what makes them feel capable and inspired.

I served as the Chief People Officer at a rapidly growing InsurTech company in New York City and bring more than 15 years of experience in leadership advisory, organizational psychology, and change management. I’ve partnered with more than 200 organizations across industries ranging from healthcare and fintech to aerospace, nonprofits, film, and entertainment. Throughout that work, my focus has remained the same: creating environments where people can grow, contribute, and flourish.

I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology and Business from Temple University, where I conducted research on alexithymia and emotional processing, and later earned my master’s degree in Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Development from Villanova University. My post-graduate training includes mindfulness-based leadership through the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute, design thinking through Stanford’s d.school, and neuroscience-based coaching through The Academy of Brain-Based Leadership with Dr. Dan Radecki.

During the height of the pandemic, I led resilience sessions for nurses and healthcare leaders across the United States and collaborated with Dr. Robert Gilman and leaders from around the world on sustainability and futures thinking.

I understand in my bones what it means to lead from the inside out, from ballroom stages to improvisational movement and embodiment work. That same somatic intelligence informs how I mentor: listening for what is spoken and unspoken, meeting each person where they are, and helping them move toward greater self-awareness and aliveness.