Erica Lynette Edwards

Erica Lynette Edwards (she/her) is an accomplished change leader with demonstrated success as an arts administrator, consultant and public speaker. As a ballerina with The Joffrey Ballet, she performed lead roles throughout a rewarding 15-year career, dancing in hundreds of performances in the United States and abroad. During that time Ebony Magazine declared her a “Young Leader in the Future of the Arts” and the Chicago Tribune gave her the title "Black History Maker."

When Edwards retired from the stage, she became an artistic and administrative senior leader as Joffrey's Director of Community Engagement. Under her visionary leadership, the department grew to support the city of Chicago through a focus on community partnerships rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

At the beginning of 2020, Edwards independently expanded her DEI services to engage a wide variety of clients with authentic and innovative consultation. She is a certified mediator and has a bachelor’s in human resource management. Her career promoting engaging conversations and creating inclusive environments has earned her many honors, including multiple features in Dance Magazine, giving a TEDx talk, speaking on national and international panels, and being selected as a member of Crain’s Chicago Business “40 Under 40.” She is passionate about creating workplaces where everyone can flourish.