I help nonprofit, philanthropic and community leaders do both.
For 30 years I have helped leaders grow through change. Today that change is AI. I help people feel safe enough to try it, skilled enough to use it, and wise enough to keep people at the center.
A live case study of Catalyze AI: what nonprofit leaders and a funder practicing trust-based philanthropy learned about building trust, skills and safety with AI.
Catalyze AI is a funder-sponsored cohort that helps nonprofit leaders move from curiosity to confident, responsible use. Two cohorts ran in West Michigan in 2026, sponsored by Amway.
of past clients surveyed are extremely likely to recommend Erica (15 of 16), and none rated her effectiveness below 4 out of 5.
Partnered with the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education on its facilities master plan, and with district leaders on the implementation strategy and bond outreach. Voters approved the $305M bond in November 2023.
teaching leadership at Grand Valley State University, plus work with the Girl Scouts in the U.S. and Europe.
Amway · Grand Rapids Public Schools · Kent County · City of Grand Rapids · Refugee Education Center · Safe Haven Ministries · University of Michigan Health-West · Paws With A Cause · Kids' Food Basket · Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan · Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy · Girl Scouts · and the 15 nonprofits of Catalyze AI
Client results from an independent 2023 survey of 48 past clients (33% response) conducted by GrandPR, Grand Valley State University's student-run public relations firm.
Give your grantees or members a guided, human-centered path into AI: live sessions, hands-on labs, policy support and a showcase of what each organization built. You invest in people; they build the capacity.
Plan a cohort →Strategic planning, retreats and AI readiness for teams that need alignment, trust and a clear next step. Works well alongside EOS and other operating systems.
Talk about your team →A thinking partner for leaders navigating AI and change: how you lead, how your organization adopts it, and how you build with it yourself.
Book a conversation →Keynotes, roundtables and hands-on workshops on frontier leadership, learner safety, and building with AI without losing what makes your work human.
Invite Erica to speak →Coming in 2027: Roots and Wings retreats in Michigan. Subscribe on Substack to hear first.
"She taught me that an important ingredient of belonging is having space to explore, understand and express the core parts of our identity, and to feel safe to be and believe in who we are. Erica's influence shaped my earliest experiences in my chosen career path of philanthropy for social impact and taught me how using our gifts can change the world."
Noorain KhanChief Innovation Officer, Ford Foundation · Former National President, Girl Scouts
"Erica has led Refugee Education Center's staff retreat since its inception. She leads with a generous spirit and deep compassion. She creates spaces that are safe to express joy, grief, fear, and hope."
Meg Wheeler DerrerCEO, Refugee Education Center
"Erica's ability to combine strategic insight with genuine care for people makes her an exceptional facilitator and leader. I highly recommend her to any organization looking to strengthen team dynamics."
Michele SuchovskyCEO, Paws With A Cause
"Working with Erica has been crucial for our strategic planning as an organization and also essential for our team's development. Her investment created significant vision and impact for Safe Haven Ministries."
Rachel VerWysCEO, Safe Haven Ministries
"Erica is a special human, uniquely gifted at cultivating belonging and wonder amongst teams. Each time she brought new ways of engagement to the table."
Afton S. DeVosFormer leader at Kids' Food Basket · Organizational coach and consultant
"Erica is one of the most talented, intelligent, and perceptive consultants I have worked with. She undertakes challenging situations, makes people feel valued, and works intently on resolution."
Lynn HeemstraOur Community's Children
"Erica always brings an authenticity and positive energy to everything she does. She creates safe and creative spaces for planning and brainstorming."
LeAnn SecordUniversity of Michigan Health-West
"Erica can be counted on: to deliver quality, to be on time and to develop strong positive relationships. She's a pleasure to work with!"
Teresa BehrensFormer Executive Director, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, GVSU
"She has the ability to synthesize very complex concepts and present them with clarity. She has my unqualified, strongest endorsement!"
Jonathan WilliamsVice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
"Some consultants are only task focused and miss the whole picture. Ms. Curry looks at things broadly and addresses things that can be missed."
Dr. Salvador Lopez-AriasGrand Valley State University
From LinkedIn recommendations and an independent 2023 client survey. Shared with permission.
Mindsets and skillsets for people, teams and organizations navigating change and becoming future-ready. Practical prompts, what I am seeing in the field, and the questions worth sitting with.
I started in human development, designing programs with and for women and girls, and have spent my career alongside nonprofit, philanthropic and community leaders. I have worked with the Girl Scouts in the U.S. and Europe, the Johnson Center for Philanthropy, and Grand Rapids Public Schools, and taught leadership at Grand Valley State University for a decade. Since 2014, through Urban Curry Consulting, I have led strategic planning, retreats, leadership coaching and team development. I created Catalyze AI™ because the leaders I love were being asked to adopt AI without anyone investing in their learning.
My belief is simple: trust does not come from teaching tools. It comes from investing in people.
Vision. A world that leads with humanity.
Mission. Inspire and equip leaders to change their world.
Our values
Nature. We honor the identities and seasons that shape each person, and the worlds they navigate: home, community and work.
Nurture. We care for the whole person. We believe in rest, and we practice caring for ourselves and others.
Our promise: Respair. An old English word for fresh hope, the return of hope after despair. It is what I want every person to leave with.