Erika Werner

Erika joins the 18 Hands Community as Board Treasurer, bringing more than 20 years of experience in strategic finance, FP&A, and commercial performance leadership across the CPG, retail, and restaurant industries. In her role, she oversees 18 Hands' financial stewardship by strengthening planning, forecasting, and organizational clarity to support long‑term growth. Erika has held senior leadership positions with organizations including Grupo Bimbo, Sysco, and PepsiCo, focusing on financial strategy, operational efficiency, and long‑term business planning. She is passionate about helping organizations translate vision into sustainable execution, ensuring that mission‑focused work can scale with stability and clarity.

Erika’s connection to 18 Hands’ mission is rooted in her belief that purposeful work builds confidence, belonging, and pride. Being part of a community where people are included, celebrated, and supported to grow feels both inspiring and deeply personal to her. She knows that meaningful work matters not only for income but also for the sense of purpose and connection that comes from contributing to something real. When Erika visited the GoodWork Dog Cookie Co. kitchen, she immediately felt the energy that fuels our community: hands-on learning, inclusive employment pathways, and the pure joy of the human–dog bond. She knew right away that contributing her expertise to a place where purpose comes to life was the perfect fit.

Erika earned her master’s degree in international business from the University of Colorado Denver, bachelor’s degrees in business management and economics from the University of Colorado Boulder – forever a Buffalo. She and her husband, Justin, live in Lone Tree with their four adorable pups: Cooper, Bubba, Bennet, and Alfred. When she’s not supporting the board, you can find Erika cheering on CU football, spending time with family, or tackling a Pilates reformer workout.