Erika Gilchrist is an award-winning speaker, instructional designer, author, and certified neuroscience coach who helps people and organizations communicate better, lead stronger, and transform from the inside out.
With more than 27 years of speaking experience, Erika is known for delivering bold, high-energy presentations that move audiences emotionally while giving them practical tools they can actually use. Her work blends powerful storytelling, behavior change, and brain-based strategy to help individuals and teams build confidence, strengthen leadership, improve communication, and address burnout in a more human, sustainable way. But Erika’s work does not stop at the stage.
She designs learning experiences and curriculum for organizations that want more than inspiration. They want transformation that lasts. As an instructional designer and certified neuroscience coach, Erika develops training programs, workshops, and learning content that translate complex human challenges into clear, actionable development. Her approach brings together neuroscience, emotional intelligence, workplace well-being, and real-world application so learning sticks long after the session ends.
What makes Erika especially compelling is that her work is rooted in both expertise and lived experience. Having overcome profound adversity in her own life - homelessness, domestic abuse, and a suicide attempt - she brings a rare level of truth, depth, and humanity to every room she enters. She does not speak from theory alone. She speaks from experience, resilience, and a deep understanding of what it takes to create lasting change.
Erika is the founder of the Women Thriving Fearlessly Summit™, author of 13 books, and has been recognized as one of the “15 Most Powerful Women on the South Side of Chicago.” She has been featured in Chicago Woman Magazine, CLTV, and Rolling Out Magazine.
Whether she is delivering a keynote, facilitating a workshop, or developing curriculum behind the scenes, Erika helps people and organizations move forward with greater clarity, courage, and intention.
She has been certified in the following:
"Workplace Mental Health"
- SHRM
"Unconscious Bias: From Awareness to Action"
- CatalystX
"Teaching & Learning in Diverse Classrooms"
-CornellX University
"Classroom Management"
- Center for Teacher Effectiveness
"Gatekeeper for Suicide Prevention"
- QPR Institute
