Erika Seward Email & Phone Number

Auburn, California, Us

Nevada City, California, Us

Lead analyst for legislative affairs, public policy, and constituent services in the County of Nevada Board of Supervisors Office. Policy issues range from outdoor recreation, tourism and economic development, to climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Nevada City, California, Us

Serve as lead for Board of Supervisors’ objective promoting sustainable recreation in partnership with public land agencies, community providers and other jurisdictions to enhance access, support public health and safety, realize economic opportunities, and preserve natural resource assets. Project manager for the Board-adopted and first of its kind Nevada County Recreation & Resiliency Master Plan with consultants Design Workshop, funded by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy.• Awarded 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) "Best in Category" Award and 2023 California Association of Counties (CSAC) Challenge Award for coordinating “Collaborative Solutions for Visitor Safety and Outdoor Recreation Management."• Administered $850,000 in Outdoor Visitor Safety Fund grants to 17 projects and programs, leveraging over $3 million in match.• Submitted $12 million in grant applications for rural development, resource protection and climate, with decisions pending.• Providing thought leadership and analysis as a member of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District Regional Climate Action Plan Steering Committee and Visit California Resilience & Sustainability Regional Strategic Tourism Plan Committee.

Lenexa, Kansas, Us

Led, defined and established policies and plans for newest department in Administrative Services division. Generated revenue for General and Enterprise Funds through five functional areas: grants, sponsorship, advocacy, capital project strategic development and charitable foundation. Provided critical thinking and policy direction as Leadership Team member for the gold-medal CAPRA accredited agency.• Established grant research, cultivation, and management system; wrote and assembled grant applications for active transportation, natural infrastructure, tourism, economic development, equity, and cultural arts• Centered sustainability and climate action within agency policies, plans and decision-making; served on Johnson County Sustainability Committee leading GHG inventory assessment of all departments and developing dashboard to track emissions• Initiated and received unanimous Board adoption of resolution for support of the Kansas City Regional Climate Action Plan• Served on Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Committee providing recommendations to the Board of Commissioners on annual allocation of ad-valorem tax support• Guided feasibility studies, business plan development and cases for support of $40M Tourism & Recreation Destination hub, $37M Theatre Capital Campaign, Public Art Master Plan and $15M+ in active projects• Built collaborative relationships with regional stakeholders to advance water infrastructure improvements, trail connectivity and restoration efforts in the Blue River watershed across Kansas and Missouri state boundaries

Responsible for raising funds and advocating for JCPRD arts, parks, and recreation; led revitalization efforts with development of a new strategic plan and brand identity, with special emphasis on membership and donor cultivation, board recruitment, policies, and community engagement events.Established Access + Equity for All scholarship fund to reduce barriers to participation; established Public Art Fund to connect people with nature through JCPRD parks, trails, facilities and educational programs.Created and produced signature fundraising and community-building events at JCPRD regional parks including Movies in the Park and the inaugural Meadowbrook Park Festival.

South Lake Tahoe, California, Us

Served on Board of Directors, representing communities throughout California's most important watershed, to provide governance, strategic plan, fiscal and executive oversight of the non-profit environmental organization established in 1993 to protect and restore Sierra lands, water, wildlife, and communities. Repositioned and strengthened brand working with the Executive Director for refresh of identity, content, five-year strategic plan and improved cash-flow management systems. Supported statewide Advocacy summit and workforce development programs to elevate and support Sierra ecosystems and communities through capacity-building and stewardship best practices.

Grass Valley, Ca, Us

Served as strategic development, advocacy, marketing, fundraising, operations, and administrative lead for three-time nationally accredited land trust with a portfolio of over 17,600 acres of permanently protected lands, 45 miles of public access trails and $10M in assets. Recast vision and mission, strengthening connections with members, donors, Staff and volunteers to protect and defend the working and natural lands of the Bear and Yuba River watersheds and empower healthy, resilient communities through nature access and education. • Cultivated relationships and provided comments to guide policies and legislation with state and federal agencies, while securing funding to advance conservation, natural resource management, wildfire mitigation, sustainable recreation and community resilience in the Sierra Nevada watershed. • Led Land Trust Alliance re-accreditation process, five-year strategic plan and organizational restructuring with stronger fiscal, Board, fundraising and systems management practices to ensure greater transparency, accountability, efficiencies and effectiveness. • Raised over $1 million in six months during global pandemic for two community resilience campaigns including the (1) Forever Farms acquisition of critical farmland and evergreen lease to Mountain Bounty Farm, providing food for households from Sacramento to Tahoe/Reno; and (2) Jones Fire recovery efforts that destroyed the nation's first wheelchair accessible trail.Additional roles: Sierra Consortium and LTA Advocacy Ambassador (CA-District 1), Commissioner on Nevada County Solid & Hazardous Waste Commission, Nevada County Food Policy Council member

Art + Music + Culture. For Good.The Ninth House is a boutique full-service lifestyle marketing + management agency specializing in brand consulting, business development, strategic planning, partnerships, production + creative services.Client roster has included professional surfers and musicians, advocacy filmmakers, and nonprofits, with focus on securing funding, partnerships, distribution deals, media placement; negotiating contracts; guiding projects, marketing, pr and brand strategy in support of long-term goals. Served as creative director/producer of content, campaigns & special events for Roxy, Jose Cuervo, Sambazon, Barefoot Wine, Outside TV, The Enthusiast Network, Herewith Magazine, KVMR-FM, Nevada City Film Festival, and ProgressNow Colorado.

Gardena, California, Us

Responsible for developing campaign, program, partnership and fundraising strategies that drive financial growth and long-term sustainability for the organization. Cultivated and secured relationships with global active lifestyle and health & wellness brands, negotiated contracts and licensing deals, solicited and administered grant funding, produced nationwide grassroots community event series, and managed financial, corporate governance and operations in the U.S. and Canada.• Secured elite team of fourteen professional female athletes and Olympians to serve as ambassadors and content contributors• Executive producer of the award-winning documentary short film, Chasing Sunshine an official selection in numerous film festivals with distribution on Outside Television, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon.com, Sony Playstation and Vimeo on Demand• Creative Director/Editor of B4BC Basecamp health + wellness magazine and various publications featuring prosnowboarder and 2x-Olympian Elena Hight• Developed B4BC mobile app for iTUNES and Google Play, featured by USA Today and named top breast cancer education app by Healthline in 2015Honors include: 2x SIMA Humanitarian Fund grant recipient, Tilly's RESQ What Matters Campaign winner, Toyota 100 Cars for Good Program grant recipient and Stay Classy "Most Creative Fundraiser" nominee

Bristol, Ct, Us

Created, developed and managed digital content offerings and new original events in order to drive awareness, ratings growth, profitability and asset value for key business initiatives.Creator/Producer of award-winning short-form content offerings including first-ever sponsored web series for ESPN and The Walt Disney Company.Oversaw The ESPYS online social-networking approach which resulted in an 87% M12-17 ratings increase in 2006.

Bristol, Ct, Us

Identified, researched, managed and grew ESPN opportunities to leverage the brand throughout Disney business units and external partners’ assets. Established guidelines and strategies for ESPN product placements and branded experiences. Netted $2 million in ad value over two quarters for ESPN Consumer Product lines and promotional priorities.Developed franchise branding and marketing/event elements for ESPN Classic Vintage Live series celebrating Black History Month. Managed all marketing and on-site activation for ESPN The Weekend at Walt Disney World, including redesign and maintenance of award-winning event website.Partnered with Milkshake Films to secure Buena Vista Pictures distribution deal for GOAL movie trilogy which lead to a multitude of ESPN Domestic and International leveraging opportunities in conjunction with FIFA and corporate partners Coca-Cola and more.

Bristol, Ct, Us

Created and managed synergy opportunities across ESPN and The Walt Disney Company for NFL, Action Sports and Golf businesses in order to drive ratings growth and profitability. Served as executive management’s company-wide liaison for ESPN-ABC Sports events including Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, NFL Kickoff Weekend, NFL Draft, US Open, Winter and Summer X Games and special proprietary projects.Contributed creative thinking, critical analysis and support of ESPN's strategy for $8.8 billion NFL contract renegotiations.Managed local marketing efforts which retained over $1 million in syndication revenue from nine NFL blackout markets in one season.Provided extensive support in preparation for rights negotiations with the United States Golf Association.Managed ESPN X Games Skateparks licensee relationship with The Mills and Burroughs & Chapin.

Bristol, Ct, Us

Managed client accounts and sponsorship fulfillment including hospitality, game day promotions, and media deliverables for regional TV and Radio Network. Fostered healthy relations and long-term partnerships with ESPN, KU Athletics and the business community.

Master Of Public Administration - Mpa, Specializing In Public Finance And Policy

Land Use And Environmental Planning Certificate, Land Use And Natural Resources Program

Conflict Resolution Skills Concentration

Regional Fellow, Pacific Region

Master Of Science In Education (M.S.E.), Sports Management

B.S.E., Health, Sport And Exercise Science / Minor In Sports Management