Erika Allen

Erika Allen is the co-founder and CEO of Urban Growers Collective. In 2022, she won the 2022 James Beard Leadership Award.

Biography

Allen received her BA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and from the University of Illinois Chicago, a MA in art psychotherapy. From the same university, she received an Honorary Ph.D. in Public Health.

Career

From 2012 until 2017, Allen was Commissioner of Chicago Park District. She serves on the Chicago Food Policy Action Council and on J. B. Pritzker's team for Agriculture.

Personal life

Will Allen, former professional basketball player and CEO of Growing Power, is her father.