Erin A. Offord is the senior director of programs at Dallas-based Big Thought, managing the organization’s program staff and budget that connects children and their families to life affirming creative learning opportunities. She is an energetic community development specialist with over 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector in Louisiana and Texas. Ms. Offord has a strong vision of what could and should be done to motivate adults to take charge of their destinies, and helps organizations develop strategies that lead to transformation and change.
Her understanding of policy -making and the role of advocacy is one of the most significant assets in her portfolio. She is a systems thinker – yet remains a people person, understanding that passion must be blended with protocol and respect for multiple perspectives. Erin has conducted training sessions and facilitated formal learning programs; coached staff and volunteers to realize their and goals; and is known for her ability to bring together disparate groups to reach consensus around tough dividing issues.
A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Mrs. Offord speaks clearly on behalf of under-represented and disenfranchised groups. Her commitment to simplicity in problem solving results in the creation of practical, straight forward and uncomplicated responses, that guides her work and helps support the collective efforts of any team she joins. Erin holds a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications and minor in political science from the University of Louisiana in Lafayette and has completed leadership series hosted by the National Guild of Community Arts leaders. In 2018 she was selected as a member of the Dallas Leadership cohort of Building High Impact Nonprofit of Color funded by J.P. Morgan Chase.
