Erika Halstead is the chief executive officer of Minds Matter, a national organization that supports students from low-income communities to get into college, thrive on campus, and launch into meaningful careers. She leads a 14-chapter network through a shared mission of centering young people’s educational needs, aspirations, and limitless potential.

Prior to stepping into national leadership, Erika served as executive director of Minds Matter’s flagship New York City chapter for nine years. Under her leadership, the chapter more than doubled student enrollment, expanded its programming and staff, and significantly increased annual revenue. Before joining Minds Matter, Erika was the senior program officer at Humanities New York, where she directed statewide youth and community engagement initiatives, including award-winning programs for Latine and American Muslim communities. She began her career as a bilingual elementary school teacher in Texas and later taught literature as a lecturer at Hunter College. She has also worked as an expert facilitator focused on organizational dialogue and culture-building throughout her career.

A proud Colombian-American, Erika was named a “40 Under 40 Rising Star” by the Hispanic Coalition of New York in 2018 and is an inaugural member of the Pinkerton Advanced Leadership Network, a cohort of nonprofit executives of color committed to expanding opportunity for NYC youth. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree from Teachers College, Columbia University.