Meet Program Manager Erica Brierley

In March, PORCH welcomed Erica Brierley as our new full-time program manager. Erica will manage, maintain, and develop all aspects of our programs including Food for Families, Food for Pantries, and Food for Schools. 

Originally from New Jersey and a former resident of Boston, Erica moved to North Carolina in 2015 to be closer to family. She has a Great Pyrenees dog, Calli Sue, and a Maine Coon Tabby cat, D’Angelo. In her free time, she loves to read books on social justice in her hammock, tend to an impressive collection of plants, and go thrift shopping for her next crafty project. 

Read on to learn more about Erica – we hope you will get a chance to meet her soon! 

You have experience in global health, program development, and volunteer management. Tell us more about your work history and your educational background. 
I have an undergraduate background in international relations and French, with a Master’s in public health with a global health and nonprofit focus. I have a broad interest across equity initiatives and have worked in policy research, environmentalism, domestic violence, volunteer management – and now hunger relief!

PORCH’s mission is personal to you. Can you share some more about that? 
I grew up in a home with domestic violence. When we left that situation, money was tight – often limiting the amount of fresh food we could buy – causing us to opt for quick preparation and long-lasting and cheaper grocery items. Programs like PORCH not only ensure families have access to the basic necessity of food but also frees up money for other essentials like rent, transportation, medical bills, and more – helping families become more self-sufficient and stable. 

You are in your first few weeks on the job, but what have you really enjoyed so far as you’ve gotten your arms around our organization and its volunteers? 
Everyone has been so warm and welcoming! I really appreciate getting to meet so many people right off the bat, including participants, community partners, board members, long-term volunteers, and local vendors. I look forward to getting to know and growing all of those relationships. I also love learning. Whenever you start something new, including a new job, there is lots to learn, so I am enjoying that!