EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in French, Indiana University; Juris Doctor, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
RESUME: Attorney in private practice; president, Junior League of Evansville; interim CEO, Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville (now part of the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership); CEO, YWCA Evansville (2010-present)
HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois
FAMILY: Husband Matt; daughter Olivia, 19, and son Anthony, 22
If you told law student Erika Taylor that she would one day lead the 113-year-old YWCA of Evansville, she wouldnโt have believed you. Once on track for a career in international relations, she feels the position at YWCA is the right match for her passions and experience. Under her leadership, the organization continues to provide and expand addiction recovery and temporary housing for women and children.
โThe mission itself speaks to me: empowering women, eliminating racism. When somebody tells you that you can get paid to do what you already are passionate about, itโs a win-win,โ Taylor says.
How did your experience as an attorney translate to your current role?
I did not go to law school to become a lawyer. I wanted to get a graduate degree that would allow me to have a career where I could also use my French. I decided on law school because I wanted to work in government, foreign affairs, or international diplomacy.
When I moved here, there werenโt many French-speaking international law jobs. I ended up taking a job practicing law and thought, โThis is exactly what I did not want to do.โ But I feel like it gave me a foundation. When youโre running a nonprofit, risk management is a huge part of it. My legal background helps me in analyzing situations from that unique perspective.
Why did you decide to join the YWCA?
I was hesitant to apply for this job as the previous well-respected CEO had been in this role for over 22 years. When this position came open, quite a few people reached out to me and said, โYou need to apply for that job.โ
Here I was, a young professional, thinking, โWhat could I possibly do that hasnโt been done?โ Iโll never forget when I went for my interview with 10 people in the room. I felt like everyone believed in me and it really made me believe in myself, that I could do the job. This was a room full of women who already felt like I could do it.
I come to work every day feeling like everything that we do here is really making a difference in the lives of vulnerable women and children.
What are you most poud of accomplishing as YWCA’s CEO?
One of the biggest challenges is this 100-year-old building. I think this organization has great pride in the fact that we designed and built this building. Weโve always owned it free and clear.
When I joined the YWCA, there was a lot of updating that needed to happen, not just for functionality, but for safety and comfort. When women come to stay here, we want them to feel that weโre giving them a space thatโs conducive to their healing. When things are in disrepair or super old-fashioned, what message does that send to a client about what theyโre worthy of? Iโm proud of having renovated the second-floor lounge and playroom, the third-floor lounge and commercial kitchen, the first-floor kitchen, and the playground.
Iโm also really proud of YWCAโs track record of helping women completely transform their lives. Women who have faced unbelievable adversity and trauma in their lives, who have every reason to just give up, somehow have the resilience to get through it, live in the YWCAโs supportive environment, have access to case management, and fully utilize our supportive services to change their lives around. When those women come back, they tell us, โYou guys changed my life. I wouldnโt be where I am without you.โ I really feel like thatโs what all of us here are most proud of. And some of those women come back to volunteer here and serve as mentors to women in the programs. Itโs really powerful.
