Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Welcomes Erin Elman as New CEO
Philadelphia, PA (January 7, 2025) — Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey is thrilled to announce Erin Elman as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 2, 2025. Elman brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, arts education, and organizational growth, along with a steadfast commitment to empowering young women and fostering equity and inclusion.
Elman’s career spans more than three decades, most recently serving as Dean of Graduate & Professional Studies at the University of the Arts. Over her tenure, she demonstrated exceptional skill in leading teams, driving strategic growth, and expanding access to education through innovative programming and partnerships. Under her guidance, numerous initiatives flourished, including curriculum decolonization efforts, scholarship expansion, and pioneering interdisciplinary programs.
“As a woman and an artist, I am committed to leading by modeling values that ensure equity and social justice for women and girls,” said Elman. “Girls Inc. positively impacts the lives of thousands of girls and provides a launch pad that allows young people access to the agency they need to create and change systems of oppression and build the worlds we want to live in. It is a great honor for me to join the Girls Inc. team as the next CEO and work in partnership with the incredible board and staff to support the organization’s critical mission of inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, which is more relevant than ever in its storied 160- year history.”
Girls Inc. uses a whole girl approach to help girls learn to value themselves, take positive risks and develop their inherent strengths. This is done through a combination of research-based programs, mentoring relationships and a pro-girl environment. Girls Inc. programs focus on healthy decision making, academic enrichment and life skills instruction and serves girls from over 40 schools, the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center, women and children shelters, and at the Girls Inc. center in South Philadelphia.
“The Board of Directors is excited to welcome Erin to Girls Inc.,” said Lori Garber, Board Chair. “After an extensive search process, it became clear that Erin’s experience in both education and leadership, along with her passion for Girls Inc.’s mission, made her the ideal candidate for this position. Her knack for driving impactful growth, her experience developing meaningful collaborations, and her passion for empowering young people will all benefit Girls Inc. of Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey.”
A native of Brooklyn and a longtime Philadelphia resident, Elman holds an MFA in Book Arts/Printmaking and an MA in Art Education from the University of the Arts, as well as a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. She has been recognized nationally for her expertise in arts education and program development and has held numerous leadership and advisory roles, including serving on the City of Philadelphia’s Cultural Advisory Committee and the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Advisory Board.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Elman is an artist with works featured in public and private collections, including the Tate London. Her personal and professional ethos align seamlessly with the mission of Girls Inc., making her an inspiring and strategic leader for the organization’s next chapter.
Elman succeeds Dena Herrin, who has led Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey with vision and dedication for the past decade. Herrin’s transformational leadership elevated the organization’s profile and deepened its impact, creating a lasting legacy of growth and empowerment. During Herrin’s tenure, the organization expanded its programming, cultivated vital community partnerships, and significantly increased its reach and resources.
“Dena’s leadership has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Garber. “Her contributions have strengthened our organization in immeasurable ways, and we are profoundly grateful for her decade of service. We wish her the very best in her future endeavors.”
ABOUT GIRLS INC. OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA & SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY
Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey has been serving girls and young women in the Greater Philadelphia region since 1961, originally as Teen Aid. In collaboration with schools, community partners, the juvenile justice system, shelters, corporations, and approximately 300 volunteers, we provide programs for thousands of girls and young women in the Philadelphia region’s most under resourced communities each year. Our holistic approach recognizes that empowering girls to be successful, independent women requires that they have the tools to make healthy decisions about their bodies, receive academic enrichment, are exposed to mentors who work in a broad range of careers, have strategies to deal with bullying and violence, and parents/caregivers engaged in their success. For more information, visit https://girlsincpa-nj.org.
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