Erin Fairbanks
About Erin Fairbanks
Erin Fairbanks is a Senior Manager of Community at CookUnity, where she focuses on designing community-driven experiences. With over 15 years of experience across various sectors, she has held leadership roles in organizations such as Heritage Radio Network and Women in Hospitality United.
Work at CookUnity
Erin Fairbanks currently serves as the Senior Manager of Community at CookUnity, a role she has held since 2023. In this position, she leads community strategy, growth, and engagement initiatives. Prior to this, she worked as the Chef Community Manager at CookUnity from 2022 to 2023, where she focused on building relationships within the culinary community. Her work emphasizes creating community-driven experiences that align with the company's values of equity and sustainability.
Previous Experience in Community Management
Before joining CookUnity, Erin Fairbanks held several significant roles in community management and program development. She was the Executive Director at Heritage Radio Network from 2012 to 2017, where she managed operations and programming. Following that, she worked as the Program Manager at GROUT from 2017 to 2020, and as the Founding Executive Director of Women in Hospitality United from 2018 to 2020. These roles contributed to her extensive experience in fostering community engagement.
Education and Expertise
Erin Fairbanks holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Creative Writing and Literature from the University of Michigan. She furthered her education by earning a Master of Science in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from The New School. Her academic background supports her expertise in community-driven design, program management, and partnership development, which are essential to her current and previous roles.
Background in Hospitality and Culinary Arts
Erin Fairbanks has a strong background in the hospitality industry, having worked as a Line Cook and Charcutier at Gramercy Tavern from 2007 to 2009. This experience laid the foundation for her later roles in culinary community management. Additionally, she worked at Heritage Foods USA as an Account Manager from 2011 to 2016, which further enhanced her understanding of the food industry and community dynamics.
Achievements in Program and Project Management
Throughout her career, Erin Fairbanks has demonstrated a commitment to launching multiple organizations and initiatives. Her key capabilities include convening design, program and project management, and partnership development. With over 15 years of experience across various fields, including hospitality, tech, media, and non-profits, she has effectively contributed to the growth and engagement of the communities she has served.