Erika Wozniak, Senior Vice President, is an experienced and highly respected voice in the governmental advocacy world. Erika brings her relationships and expertise to use on behalf of all of our clients.

Over the past two decades, Erika Wozniak has been a dedicated public servant to the City of Chicago. As a Chicago Public Schools teacher for fifteen years, Erika organically became involved in politics where she fiercely advocated for fair funding and education equality for all students in Chicago. Erika is a firm believer in quality public education for the public good. She was an outspoken, well-respected member and leader of the Chicago Teachers Union and Illinois Federation of Teachers. Erika was hand-chosen by President Emeritus of the Chicago Teachers Union to serve on the State Educator and Preparation Licensure Board for the Illinois State Board of Education. In this role, Erika was able to foster key relationships with members of the Illinois General Assembly by helping to write and pass legislation.

Her work did not go unnoticed by the national union and in 2016, she was chosen as the American Federation of Teachers “Everyday Hero” Award winner. This national teaching award is given annually to honor outstanding teachers nationwide.

In 2019, Erika joined 39th Ward Alderman Samantha Nugent’s team as her Chief of Staff. This gave Erika everyday hands-on experience working to provide City services to the fifty-five thousand constituents in the 39th Ward, as well as a deep understanding of the Chicago City Council legislative process. She was also able to extend her network to City Council members, their staff, City Departments, Commissioners and beyond.

After working tirelessly in government for more than 18 years and through the pandemic, Erika was named the Legislator Director for the State Revenue Alliance, a network of state-based community, labor, and policy advocates from across the country. There she works in thirty-five states across the country, building strategy and deploying resources to pass crucial revenue legislation.

In 2023, fellow teacher Brandon Johnson ran for Mayor of Chicago, declaring a new path and plan for America’s third largest city. As the campaign headed into a fiercely contested runoff election, his team asked Erika to join the campaign as an influential political adviser. In that role, Erika’s focus was the North and Northwest Side, women’s issues, and Labor. Erika’s work and dedication during the campaign were key to his landmark victory.

From 2016-2020, Erika co-hosted the popular live talk show, The Girl Talk, which featured Chicago women doing amazing things in Chicago. She also served as Board President for Chicago Votes, an organization that works to get young people excited to vote. She lives in the Chicago neighborhood of Jefferson Park with her husband, Brian, a 5th-grade Chicago Public Schools teacher.