Erin Briggs Yates: Community, Collaboration, and Change
Erin Briggs Yates is the Director of King’s Ridge with CASA. Her core values are authenticity, community, and collaboration. Erin is a 2023 Transforming Leaders graduate.
As we prepare to open King’s Ridge, my impact on the community is asking everyone to come together, be neighbors, and work collaboratively to support a vulnerable group of folks.
What was the primary impact of the Transforming Leaders program on your life?
Transforming Leaders gave me the tools to see how “Erin” is a leader because of my fabulous, quirky traits. TL helped me see my strengths and build my confidence in myself and my uniqueness. This gave me the confidence to show up authentically to everyone I meet. Since graduating, I have spent most of my time finding ways to collaborate with community partners across Wake County.
Did you make any meaningful connections during or after the program?
I feel connected to a new community of folks with a shared language. I love seeing everyone’s updates and how many folks have flourished after leaving the program. I have watched amazing humans take vulnerable leaps, knowing they deserve the best and have the tools to get there!
How do you show up as a leader in your organization?
I am leading the charge of creating King’s Ridge and bringing together more than 30 community partners, all the healthcare systems, and more to provide onsite support to 100 individuals and families. I get to work with leaders inside and outside of CASA to find ways to provide our residents access to health, community, food, and more.
How do you feel you make an impact in the community?
As we prepare to open King’s Ridge, I am bringing together community partners from across the region to find new ways to join forces and create new opportunities for our neighbors. We are breaking down barriers to access and offering support choices. My impact on the community is asking everyone to come together, be neighbors, and work collaboratively to support a vulnerable group of folks.
If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
As a mom, I don’t get to read books often these days, but one of my favorites that I love to reread with my son is Little Joe Chickapig by Bryan Calhoun. In this book, stories are shared of being inspired by others who were scared but followed their hearts, which ends up where they all inspired each other.
“But how? How? How did he go? “How did he do it? How did he know to follow his heart against the tide? How did he do it?” the young Chickapig cried.”
I love the reminder that we should follow our dreams wherever they go.
What is one fun fact about yourself?
I was in choir, show choir, and multiple musicals growing up. While I wasn’t the best singer, I was always enthusiastic. I wish I lived in a musical and have been known to turn any event into an opportunity to sing out and possibly break into dance.
