Our Team

DEI expert

Erica Lynette Edwards

Erica Lynette Edwards is an accomplished change leader with demonstrated success as a facilitator, trainer, consultant, and public speaker. With diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as the core foundation of her work, she transforms visions into reality. After heading diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives as a ballerina and Director of Community Engagement at The Joffrey Ballet, she independently expanded her DEI services. Now she captivates a wide variety of clients with authentic and innovative facilitation. Through consulting, Erica reshapes the dynamics of the workplace to produce environments where all can thrive.

Erica is a certified mediator and has a bachelor's in human resource management which supports her ability to help people feel welcome while unpacking challenging issues. Highly skilled in delivering consistent success and effective change, she is passionate about results-driven programming focused on reflection and knowledge building. She understands cross-cultural concern and the untapped potential of dialogue and relationship building.

Erica's career promoting engaging conversation and welcoming communities has earned her many honors and opportunities, including speaking on national panels, having her work featured in a Stanford University case study, giving a TEDx talk, and being selected as a member of Crain’s Chicago Business “40 Under 40.” By developing shared understandings, Erica inspires communities to make the world a more just place.

Employment law expert

Cynthia Pietrucha

Cynthia Pietrucha is an employment discrimination attorney and legal commentator who advocates for employees fired or forced to separate from their jobs based on disability, medical leave, race, gender, age, and religious beliefs. Born and raised in Illinois, Cynthia is well-known for helping resolve workplace disputes with the goal of staying out of court. Having negotiated millions in severance and separation agreements, she helps implement effective workplace policies and conducts workplace investigations on behalf of private companies. Cynthia has appeared as a guest speaker on behalf of many organizations and media outlets, where she often speaks about working moms' rights and medical leave laws. She also has recorded, produced and presented employee training videos on workplace discrimination, time and attendance and staffing and scheduling. With a background in media, Cynthia is available to speak on employment law issues.