Erika Fanelle

Trustee, Interim Executive Director

As Interim Executive Director of Wharton Arts,Erika Fanelle brings over a decade of institutional knowledge and strategic leadership to the organization. A seasoned executive with a background in management consulting and organizational development, Erika continues to serve on the Wharton Arts Board of Trustees as the Director of the Development Committee. In this capacity, she spearheads high-level fundraising initiatives and long-term strategic planning to ensure the organization’s fiscal health and artistic growth.

Erika’s leadership is backed by a formidable academic foundation: she holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, a BAS from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, and a BS in Economics from the Wharton School.

Having been a dedicated part of the Wharton Arts community since 2010, Erika possesses a rare “360-degree” perspective of the organization: as a parent of two alumnae, a strategic board leader, and now as the chief executive. Beyond her executive functions, Erika’s history with the organization is personal. As a parent of two New Jersey Youth Chorus choristers, she spent over a decade supporting the organization’s mission on the ground. Her deep commitment to the arts and education is further evidenced by her extensive leadership roles with New Jersey SEEDS, Far Brook School, Kent Place School, and the Girl Scouts of the USA. Erika is dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence and inclusivity, ensuring that Wharton Arts remains a premier destination for youth performing arts development.