Dr. Erin Banks Named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
for Helping Education
From Staff Reports
(June 13, 2023)
Effective June 13, 2023, Dr. Erin Banks has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Helping Education. Banks joined the organization in November of 2022 as the Chief Impact Officer.
“I am excited to have a collaborative partner of the caliber of Dr. Banks,” said William D. Gibson, President & Chief Executive Officer for Helping Education. “I am even more excited to name her to her new role as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. We have had the opportunity to work closely together over these last many months as she has been instrumental in helping shape alignment with our Charlotte office in support of students and families in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Her dedication for improving impact has deepened our collaboration to lead the organization forward as a team.”
Dr. Banks provided critical on-the-ground assessment of the work in the Charlotte region and helped inform organizational strategies that create further alignment across the organization. With unfolding strategic restructuring, Helping Education is set to expand its impact across North Carolina and beyond in more efficient and effective ways.
“As we move from our strategic planning process toward strategy implementation, Erin’s expertise will improve our ability to put plans into action,” continued Gibson. “It is a priority that we leverage current learnings and ensure our ability to better serve more students across the state who are economically disadvantaged. Implementing new operational standards will help us to scale impact right here at home, while continuing to support regions of growth like New York City,” said Gibson.
Over the last 20 years, Dr. Banks has been committed to promoting access, equity, and equality in educational systems through innovative programming and strategic interventions. She has served many years in higher education as an administrator. Prior to serving as the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Research at UNCC, Banks was the director of the $5.7M NIH Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD) program and the ARRA supplement for students in the biomedical and behavioral sciences at North Carolina State University. Dr. Banks has created innovative high impact practices that have transformed students’ academic experience through hands-on research training, outstanding mentoring, and professional development. She is also engaged in civic and community outreach initiatives that empower communities and families.
In her new role, Dr. Banks will collaborate with Dr. Gibson to help set strategic goals that strengthen the growth and impact of the organization over the next one, three, and five years. This will include improved staffing and professional development that aligns with the organization's high standards of excellence, while demonstrating the priority of work-life balance.
“This is an exciting new season for Helping Education with several shifts happening this summer that will enhance our ability to accomplish the mission and I am thrilled to have Dr. Banks helping lead the way forward,” concluded Gibson.