Erica M. Benavides is a San Antonio entrepreneur, community economic development leader, and former lobbyist whose work connects business, culture, and neighborhood investment. She is a founding partner of The Colao Group and Cuba 1918 .
For over two decades, Erica has worked across city government, non-profit leadership, education, healthcare, and the creative economy. She has led regional organizations serving up to 24 counties, managed budgets for multi-million dollar organizations, and raised tens of millions for Texas non-profits. Her market saturation and community mobilization efforts have been recognized across the United States.
Today, her focus is building the relationships, resources, and local capacity that help places thrive beyond a single project or event.
To contact Erica or book her for a speaking engagement, please schedule a consult.
Erica is a San Antonio entrepreneur and community economic development leader with two decades of experience across business, government, nonprofits, and the creative economy. Rooted in supporting economically disadvantaged communities thrive, Erica's work focuses on connecting people, resources, and investment to expand opportunity in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Erica's experience spans executive leadership, fundraising, public policy, business development, and cultural placemaking. Across these roles, she has:
A gathering can bring people to a place. Sustaining that place takes ongoing relationships, viable businesses, local leadership, and resources that keep circulating through the community.
That understanding guides Erica's work. She connect entrepreneurs, artists, property owners, public agencies, and community partners around opportunities they can build together. Culture creates connection. Business creates livelihoods. Coordinated investment helps both endure.
Erica's goal is to help communities turn their existing strengths into lasting economic opportunity-and ensure the people connected to a place can participate in its future.
Connect with Erica for speaking, consulting, and collaborations that strengthen communities, sustain places, and expand economic opportunity.
