About Erica
Erica Howard applies over two decades of experience to organizational, talent, and culture development, advising global Fortune 500 companies and contributing to the Best Practice Institute's mission of fostering Most Loved Workplaces.
Who is Erica Howard?
Erica Howard is a distinguished consultant specializing in strengths-centered organizational, talent, and culture development. Based in Austin, Texas, she leads Proko Consulting, guiding global teams in consumer products, financial services, high-tech, and defense industries to implement transformative change. Her work focuses on integrating individual strengths with organizational goals to drive both employee well-being and business results.
Howard is recognized for her ability to energize personal and organizational change through person-centered approaches. She designs and implements strategies that enhance employee experience and engagement, develop leadership capabilities, and facilitate significant organizational transformations. Her expertise is particularly valued in creating sustainable changes that yield measurable improvements in retention, performance, and operational efficiency.
Quick facts about Erica Howard
| Role | Strengths-centered organizational, talent and culture development coach |
| Company | Proko Consulting / Flying Colors LLC |
| Based in | Austin, Texas |
| Expertise | Organizational development, talent strategy, culture change, employee engagement, leadership development, change management, HR |
| Notable for | Author of "Rise and Thrive: A Woman's Guide to Success and Empowerment" |
| BPI affiliation | Expert Faculty member |
What is Erica Howard known for?
- Strengths-Centered Development: Pioneering a strengths-focused, person-centered approach to organizational and individual change.
- Talent Strategy and Engagement: Developing "best in people" and "best for people" strategies, including employee engagement and well-being initiatives.
- Cultural Transformation: Designing and executing multi-year culture development roadmaps that lead to significant operational improvements and enhanced engagement.
- Leadership Change Management: Guiding leaders through complex organizational changes that drive tangible results.
- Author: Writing "Rise and Thrive: A Woman's Guide to Success and Empowerment," addressing imposter syndrome, finding voice, and empowerment for women in the workplace.
- Fortune 500 Experience: Over 20 years of experience working with global Fortune 500 organizations.
- Award-Winning Recognition: Recipient of the Columbus Next Up Award, recognizing her impact as an emerging leader.
What is Erica Howard's background and experience?
Erica Howard has accumulated over two decades of experience within global Fortune 500 organizations. Her career includes a significant role as Manager of Talent & Organization Performance at Accenture from 2010 to 2011, among other early positions from 1996 to 2005. This extensive background has provided her with a deep understanding of corporate dynamics and the intricacies of large-scale organizational development.
She holds a B.S. in Human Resource Management and is certified as a SHRM-CP. Further enhancing her credentials, Howard is certified in the Hogan Leadership Forecast Series, the Standout Strengths Assessment, and Strategic Workforce Planning. These certifications underscore her specialized knowledge and practical skills in leadership development, talent assessment, and strategic human capital management.
What topics does Erica Howard speak and write about?
Erica Howard focuses on a range of critical topics centered around human potential and organizational effectiveness. Her work frequently explores leadership change management, emphasizing how to navigate and implement successful transitions within organizations. She delves into talent strategies, advocating for approaches that not only attract and retain top talent but also foster their continuous development and engagement.
Furthermore, Howard is a proponent of strengths-focused, person-centered approaches, believing that harnessing individual strengths is key to both personal empowerment and collective success. She also addresses the vital area of employee well-being, recognizing its direct correlation with productivity and a positive workplace culture. Her book, "Rise and Thrive: A Woman's Guide to Success and Empowerment," extends these themes to empower women by addressing challenges like imposter syndrome and fostering community in the professional sphere.
How does Erica Howard contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
Erica Howard serves as an Expert Faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, lending her extensive experience to BPI's mission of identifying and promoting best practices in leadership and organizational development. Through her contributions, she helps BPI members and the broader community understand and implement strategies that enhance employee experience and foster Most Loved Workplaces®.
Her expertise aligns seamlessly with BPI's research and frameworks, including the SPARK Model, which focuses on creating workplaces where employees are engaged, inspired, and feel valued. Howard's insights into talent development, organizational change, and fostering a human-centered culture directly advance BPI's goal of equipping leaders with the knowledge and tools to build thriving and highly effective organizations.
Where can you learn more from Erica Howard?
You can learn more from Erica Howard through her professional website, Proko Consulting (prokoconsulting.com), and her business website, Flying Colors LLC (flyingcolorsllc.com). Connect with her on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/ericayhoward/) to follow her latest insights and contributions to organizational and talent development.