
Let’s Talk Impact with David Erickson, Senior Vice President @The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
For our latest episode of the Let’s Talk Impact podcast, we invited David Erickson, Senior Vice President and Head of Outreach & Education at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. His areas of research include community development finance, affordable housing, economic development, and institutional changes that benefit low-income communities. Erickson has a Ph.D. in history from the University of California, Berkeley, with a focus on economic history and public policy. He also holds a master’s degree in public policy from Berkeley and an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College.
David has been a leader in the collaboration between the Federal Reserve and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in bringing the health sector together with community development. To date, this collaboration has resulted in 52 conferences and numerous publications, including a cluster of articles in Health Affairs in November, 2011. His book on the history of community development, The Housing Policy Revolution: Networks and Neighborhoods, was published in 2009 by the Urban Institute Press. He also co-edited Investing in What Works for America’s Communities: Essays on People, Place, and Purpose (2012); What Counts: Harnessing Data for America’s Communities (2014); What It’s Worth: Strengthening the Financial Futures of Families, Communities and the Nation (2015); and What Matters: Investing in Results to Build Strong, Vibrant Communities (2017).
Click here to listen to the full episode on Spotify.
ABOUT THE PODCAST:
Let’s Talk Impact is a podcast series that explores the intersection of entrepreneurship and social impact. Hosted by Justyna Kedra and produced by The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative and WERULE, the podcast features interviews with a diverse range of changemakers. From government officials to activists and entrepreneurs, these guests share their insights on the evolving definition of impactful work and the motivations driving their efforts. By focusing on the stories behind the initiatives, Let’s Talk Impact aims to inspire and inform listeners about the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change in the world.
ABOUT THE HOST:
Justyna Kedra, the founder of WERULE, received her BFA degree from Parsons the New School where she successfully finished their toughest major: Fashion Design. Since then she worked in Public Relations with celebrities ranging from Jeremy Scott, Lady Gaga to Madonna at People’s Revolution under the wing of Kelly Cutrone. Justyna is also no stranger to the corporate world working for 6 years in financial services at American Express generating over 20 Billion in acquisitions for Centurion, Platinum, Green Cards as well features such as their most successful “Employee Card” treatment. She also served as an advisor to the American Express’ President of US Consumer Services on topics related to the team’s culture.
She is a mentor & a team member at The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative and a mentor at the Tory Burch Foundation, the AARP Foundation x Bridge for Billions program for aspiring founders over 50. Because of her work, she was recognized as the youngest Champion of Change at the United Nations. A book she co-authored with Erika De La Cruz, Editor in Chief at The La Girl, has become a bestseller across multiple categories and is available at Barnes and Noble.
Justyna also hosts a podcast, a collaboration between WERULE and The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative, called Let’s Talk Impact, which was in the top 5% most shared podcasts globally according to Spotify Wrapped.
ABOUT IMPACT ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVE:
The Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative (IEI) at The New School fosters a transformative approach to business and social change. We equip students with the skills to create innovative, inclusive, and sustainable ventures that address pressing global challenges. Through our interdisciplinary curriculum, experiential learning opportunities, and strong community partnerships, we empower students to become agents of positive change and build a more equitable world.
ABOUT WERULE:
WERULE is a global platform dedicated to connecting individuals with life-changing mentors. Founded in 2015, they started by sharing stories of successful female entrepreneurs, becoming a recognized resource for women seeking inspiration and guidance. Today, WERULE offers a wider range of resources, including an AI-powered mentorship app used by businesses and organizations worldwide. Their mission is to make mentorship accessible to everyone, regardless of background or stage in life. They believe in the transformative power of mentorship and strive to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.