Erica Whelan, GPC, GME is a Project Manager at California Consulting, with over a decade of expertise in grant writing and management. In addition to her role at California Consulting, Erica is the Treasurer of the Chicago Area Grant Professionals Association (GPA).
Erica specializes in securing critical funding to drive impactful missions, exceed program metrics, and achieve ambitious outcomes. Her primary focus areas include homelessness, affordable housing, substance use treatment, reentry services, suicide prevention, youth development, and child welfare programs. She also supports organizations across diverse sectors such as education, employment, arts enrichment, environmental initiatives, solar energy, emergency financial assistance, vision care, animal welfare, and comprehensive support services for families and individuals in crisis.
Erica has a Master of Arts in Grant Writing, Management, and Evaluation from Concordia University Chicago and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Eastern Illinois University. Outside of work, she enjoys reading with her daughters, teaching them the value of charity, and engaging in small acts of kindness to improve her community.