Greg Ericksen, Director of Government Partnerships & Policy, leads REDF’s strategy to inform and influence federal, state, and local policymakers to promote the growth of and investment in ESEs and removal of barriers for ESE employees. He plays a key role in developing impactful public-private partnerships along with overseeing REDF’s growing government programs portfolio which includes: CA RISE, ESE WIOA program, LA:RISE, SCC:RISE, SNAP E&T, and Los Angeles County CFET.
Greg joined REDF after spending more than 15 years in federal government and the nonprofit sector. Most recently, Greg served as a program officer at the Corporation for National and Community Service, where he oversaw a portfolio of AmeriCorps and Senior Corps projects. Prior to CNCS, he was the state program director at the American Red Cross, providing disaster preparedness and response throughout California. Inspired by REDF’s innovative approach of using social enterprise to solve some of our country’s most pressing challenges, Greg is excited to apply his depth of experience and deep-seated belief in the power of community engagement to grow public-private partnerships across the country.
Greg is among the first cohort of 100 emerging changemakers selected to participate in the Obama Foundation’s Leaders USA program. The Obama Leaders program is a six-month virtual program that supports and connects emerging leaders in the United States, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe through a values-based leadership framework inspired by the ideals and legacy of President and Mrs. Obama.
Greg earned his B.A. from John Carroll University and his MPA from California State University, Long Beach. On most weekends you can find him, along with his wife and two young daughters, Norah and Elodie, on their favorite SoCal Beach swimming, surfing, and having fun!