The Safer Foundation has announced the promotion of Erica Lee to associate vice president of regional operations for the Quad Cities.
In this role, Ms. Lee will oversee the strategic direction and daily operations for all Safer Foundation programs in the Quad Cities, encompassing both Illinois and Iowa. Her responsibilities include leading local partnerships, workforce collaborations and service expansion, while continuing to guide Safer Foundation’s reentry, education and employment services for individuals with arrest or conviction records.
Ms. Lee joined the organization in 2018 as assistant director of the Quad Cities office and was promoted to director in 2021.
In a news release, Safer Foundation said the region has seen program growth, deeper community integration and enhanced service delivery for justice-impacted youth and adults under Ms. Lee’s leadership. She has spearheaded the expansion of the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), championed trauma-informed care practices and strengthened connections with employer and training partners.
A Quad Cities native, Ms. Lee holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from St. Ambrose University and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Augustana College. She is a licensed Master Level Social Worker (LMSW) in both Iowa and Illinois, with nearly two decades of experience in criminal justice, child welfare and human services. Her career includes both clinical and administrative leadership.
In 2022, Ms. Lee was a recipient of the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal’s inaugural Forty Under 40, which recognizes emerging leaders making a lasting impact in their fields and communities.
