Erika is the Co-Founder of StitchCrew, a firm focused on growing the innovation economy in the middle of the country by democratizing access and connecting traditionally overlooked entrepreneurs with capital, resources and social networks. As part of her efforts, she runs an accelerator program backed by the Oklahoma City Thunder and Google. Born and raised in Mexico, she started her career facilitating the establishment and successful operation of several international companies in Mexico. Prior to launching StitchCrew, she was Vice President of a Private Equity Firm with investments in the U.S. and Europe. As part of the leadership team, she worked closely with the firm’s partners to evaluate new investment opportunities and managed the integration of new acquisitions into the firm's operating business model. Erika currently serves as Board Director of Arvest Bank, the Oklahoma Policy Institute, the Oklahoma City County Health Department, and the Potts Family Foundation. Erika is the Co-Founder of StitchCrew, a firm focused on growing the innovation economy in the middle of the country by democratizing access and connecting traditionally overlooked entrepreneurs with capital, resources and social networks. As part of her efforts, she runs an accelerator program backed by the Oklahoma City Thunder and Google. Born and raised in Mexico, she started her career facilitating the establishment and successful operation of several international companies in Mexico. Prior to launching StitchCrew, she was Vice President of a Private Equity Firm with investments in the U.S. and Europe. As part of the leadership team, she worked closely with the firm’s partners to evaluate new investment opportunities and managed the integration of new acquisitions into the firm's operating business model. Erika currently serves as Board Director of Arvest Bank, the Oklahoma Policy Institute, the Oklahoma City County Health Department, and the Potts Family Foundation. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx