Erica Orton

Erica Orton is the Principal Evaluation Program Manager at the Foundation, which she joined in 2024. Erica has worked as an evaluator in a variety of nonprofit settings for more than a decade, including with the Minnesota Historical Society, Bush Foundation and the Fair Food Network in Detroit, MI. Prior to beginning her career in evaluation, Erica worked as a second-grade teacher, an art conservator and a music instructor. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with an individualized degree in Music, Studio Art and American Studies.

Erica is passionate about using data and insights from communities to help build a more equitable and prosperous society for everyone. She lives in South Minneapolis and in her free time enjoys photography, travel, gardening and playing bass clarinet in local community ensembles.