Betsy Erickson
Head of Family and Individual Services
Betsy Erickson leads Arabella’s work with family and individual clients, supporting them to further their learning, collaboration, and philanthropic goals. During her 15 years at Arabella, Betsy has helped dozens of clients design and launch strategies and run grantmaking programs on issues ranging from conservation to experiential education. Betsy draws on her study and practical experience in systems and family dynamics to facilitate groups to make decisions and work together effectively. Applying her expertise in enabling learning and collaboration, Betsy has significant experience working with multi-generational families. She excels at helping clients overcome emotional barriers and family collaboration issues that block their paths to impact.
Prior to joining Arabella, Betsy worked for eight years in the nonprofit sector with groups focused on cancer research. She provided independent consulting services to national and regional nonprofit organizations such as CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. She helped these organizations develop corporate partnerships, garner support from family foundations and major donors, and establish and grow their workplace giving campaigns.
Betsy graduated from Colgate University with honors, where she was captain of the diving team and a double major in philosophy and religion and art. Betsy also completed a certificate program in human behavior and public policy at Harvard Kennedy School and a three-year postgraduate program at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family at Georgetown Family Center. Betsy recently joined the faculty of the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and is faculty chair for the Social Impact and Philanthropy domain at the UHNW Institute. Betsy is also a member of the Purposeful Planning Institute, co-leading its family dynamics working group. Betsy resides in Alexandria, Virginia with her spouse and two daughters.