As the former first associate superintendent of equity, diversity and inclusion at the Arizona Department of Education, and now a consultant and founder of AHA Alliance, LLC, Erica Maxwell represents more than 25 years of experience as a certified educator. In 2022, she published her first children’s book, “Beauty With A Birthmark”. Over her career, she served as a school administrator, an adjunct faculty member, and faculty associate.
She is a co-founder of the annual Arizona Multicultural Education Conference, and she facilitated a series of community book discussions for Arizona State University’s Center for the Study of Race and Democracy. Her expertise and experiences have been highlighted in presentations throughout the state. She currently serves on the Arizona Juvenile Justice Commission, Children’s Action Alliance, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, and the Human Relations Commission for the City of Chandler.
She has served on the Board of Trustees for Childsplay and was the school administrator representative for Southeast Maricopa County’s First Things First Regional Council. Recognized for her community involvement and excellence in education, Erica was a 2020 Diversity Leadership Alliance Diversity and Inclusion Nominee. She received the 2016 Outstanding Adjunct Award from Chandler-Gilbert Community College, and the 2015 East Valley NAACP Education Advocacy Award.
In her free time, Erica enjoys watching movies, reading, traveling, hiking, and exploring the amazing beauty unique to Arizona. She cherishes time with her children, friends, and relatives. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she has two children and resides in Chandler.