Erika, 31, was born in Mars and lives in Cranberry with her 21 month old daughter, Carissa, and husband, Jeff. Erika will oversee all programs and services for BVRS, supervise 110 employees and manage a $5.1 million operating budget. She began duties on July 1. 

Experience in nonprofit programs and attentive to the bottom line, Erika said her first priority is to concentrate on improving budgetary shortfalls by diversifying revenue streams so BVRS may better weather tough economic conditions.

“A nonprofit agency is simply a business with a mission and it needs to be managed with good business practices so the mission can be carried out,” Erika said.  “My goal is to get the finances to a point where we are more comfortable and diversified so if we lose one funding stream or face reductions, we will be able to securely operate.”

As it begins 100 years of service to people with vision loss, BVRS is facing financial challenges, as are many nonprofit agencies in the current economic downturn.

BVRS received 58 applications from experienced professionals nationwide, and Erika’s skills and experience made her the best person for the job, said Mike Romano, Chairman of the Board of BVRS. 

“We interviewed some pretty good candidates, but she stood out,” said Mr. Romano, Senior Vice President for Procurement and Administrative Services at Highmark. “Not only does she have the skills needed for this job, but she brings a great deal of energy and excitement and is not afraid to tackle new ground. She has what it takes to move BVRS into its next 100 years of service to the community.”

Before accepting the position at BVRS, Erika was employed as the Vice President of Programs for Life’sWork of Western Pennsylvania where she supervised a staff of 75 people, and assisted the CEO in managing a $6.5 million annual budget.

Erika earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master’s in Professional Leadership, Concentration in Nonprofit Management from Carlow University.

She began working at Life’sWork February 2006 where she supervised multiple programs, assisted with the development of strategic plans, and worked closely with the CEO on program and fiscal matters.

Erika served as a behavioral specialist consultant for Family Behavioral Resources in Gibsonia from 2005-2008, where she developed and implemented treatment plans for children with Autism and supervised therapeutic staff support workers.

At HAP Enterprises in Hopewell, Erika served as program director from 2005-2006 where she was responsible for preparing and submitting county budgets, preparing grant proposals, Human Resource activities, planning and executing major fundraising activities, and developing and implementing an agency restructuring plan.

Erika was employed as Clinical Coordinator for the Wesley Institute in Gibsonia from 2001-2005, where she supervised a staff of 150 persons and provided clinical supervision for therapeutic staff support workers.