Welcome, Erika!

We are delighted to announce our next Executive Director is Erika R. Burnett, a long time Nashville resident, entrepreneur, founder, innovator, teacher and advocate. 

Erika’s leadership experience, strategic thinking, and passion for addressing root problems facing women and girls in our state stood out during our interview process. We’re looking forward to having her in Chattanooga as we grow the Women’s Fund and advocate for women and girls in our community and across the state. Her skills align with our key priorities: leading local and state advocacy, encouraging women-led philanthropy, and creating strong networks of women in our region.

In her most recent role, Erika served as founder and principal trainer for the Burnett Group, offering a full range of human capital training and consulting. Leveraging her years of nonprofit leadership and community engagement experience, she led professional growth, training, and development opportunities. In this role, Erika developed expertise in a wide variety of topics including volunteer management and engagement, diversity and inclusion, youth development, team building, leadership exploration, and generational differences.

In 2018, she, alongside business partner Nicole Kemp, ​launched the ​Women of Color Collaborative,​ embodying her strong commitment to advocating, empowering and securing resources for women and girls to work, play and build together.

Before starting her consultancy, Burnett served the community in a variety of roles  including Expert Workshop Facilitator at the Center for Nonprofit Management (Nashville), Affiliate Director at Communities in Schools of Tennessee, Director of Programs, Advocacy and Organizing at Leadership for Educational Equity, and Senior Director of Programs at Hands On Nashville. 

Please help us welcome Erika to the Womens’ Fund and Chattanooga. Thank you all for your continued support as we take Tennessee from 49 to One!