Erika Hanafin is a devoted mom, sophisticated business leader and startup advisor, and a compassionate advocate for women in business. She is the CEO and co-founder of Hello Mamas, a
community dedicated to supporting every mom’s success by empowering them with the tools, connections, and joyful experiences needed to thrive in all aspects of life. Building on this mission, she co-hosts the weekly podcast “Leaning into Being” with Hello Mamas co-founder Amri Kibbler, where she
explores relatable situations, resources, and experiences designed to help women navigate the beautiful chaos of motherhood and ambition.
Growing up in a family of successful CEOs, Erika was enriched with the intricate details of running successful businesses through observation, higher education, and extensive experience. Over the past15 years, she has played a pivotal role in growing small businesses across various industries, with a focus on business development, research and data, operations, revenue management, and an expertise in diverse fundraising models. Erika's success is underscored by her involvement in five significant startup acquisitions, four of which she was instrumental in leading.
Through her experiences, Erika has learned that a company's culture is fundamental to its success. She is committed to fostering supportive and healthy corporate cultures across the world by empowering women through leadership, collaboration, philanthropy, mentorship, and fundraising. This passion led her to the helm of HeyMama in 2021, a membership community of over 75,000 moms in business with events and programs impacting over 400 million moms. In just three years as CEO, Erika revitalized the struggling company, steering it toward a successful sale—her fifth acquisition to date.
Recognized for Excellence in Business by the National Association of Professional Women VIP Awards, Erika has also earned President’s Club and Knights of the Roundtable awards, and is one of the top 50 Women Leaders in Virginia 2 years in a row.More...