Meet Erika

Erika started her career as an environmental advocate, fighting for clean water and healthy air. Working in environmental advocacy for nine years, Erika organized and empowered communities to stand up to big corporations and demand clean air, clean water, clean energy, and climate justice. For the past eleven years, she has proudly served East End residents, first as District 8 Chief of Staff, and now as a Council Member. She is running for re-election to ensure that what she has accomplished thus far is only the beginning.

Erika has passed trailblazing legislation to guard against employment discrimination for pregnant workers and their partners throughout Pittsburgh; enacted policies to prevent discrimination based on gender identity and expression citywide, as well as numerous other bills to fight prejudice related to housing and employment; led the charge to overhaul and modernize Pittsburgh’s municipal waste and recycling code; passed a comprehensive lead safety law to keep dangerous toxins out of homes and community centers; and secured passage of a landmark ban on single-use plastic bags at checkout, among other policies. As the Council Member representing Squirrel Hill and immediately impacted by the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting, she helped lead the way on a package of local firearms ordinances and anti-violence funding. Erika has been an outspoken advocate for policies promoting clean water and air, equitable and diverse communities, safe and complete streets, and transparent and responsive government. More than anything, she wants everyone in Pittsburgh to thrive.

Erika also serves as Vice-Chair of the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority and sits on the boards of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the Carnegie Museums, Squirrel Hill Health Center, and PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center. She is also a member of NewDEAL Leaders, a national organization of local and state leaders. She lives with her family in Squirrel Hill.