“Erin’s deep knowledge of McKnight, her strategic mindset, and her proven ability to lead ambitious initiatives make her uniquely positioned to excel as our new Chief of Staff.”
–TONYA ALLEN, PRESIDENTE
With great enthusiasm, we share the news that Erin Imon Gavin is McKnight’s new Chief of Staff. Erin assumed the role on October 6 after successfully transitioning leadership of the GroundBreak Coalition to CEO Adair Mosley.
For more than 12 years, Erin has played a pivotal role at McKnight, holding leadership positions across enterprise and program teams, including most recently as director of strategic initiatives for the Office of the President and acting project director for Coalición GroundBreak. In every capacity, Erin has brought sharp strategic thinking, the ability to move complex initiatives forward with discernment and care, and a collaborative style that builds trust and momentum among our staff and partners.
“Erin’s deep knowledge of McKnight, her strategic mindset, and her proven ability to lead ambitious initiatives make her uniquely positioned to excel as our new Chief of Staff,” said Tonya Allen, McKnight’s president. “I am deeply grateful and thrilled to have her assume this critical leadership role working alongside me, her McKnight colleagues, and our partners as we work to get big things done together on behalf of the communities we serve.”
As Chief of Staff and a member of the Executive Leadership Team, Erin will advance the opportunities of our organization and our mission in a rapidly shifting world. In the near term, she will focus on partnering with the president’s office to advance enterprise-wise priorities and align teams around clear and cohesive initiatives.
“Advancing positive change through complexity demands urgency, clarity, and high collaboration,” said Tonya Allen. “Erin will play a key role in helping the sum be greater than its parts as we pursue a more just, creative, and abundant future for people and planet.”
A Career Grounded in Education and Impact
Erin comenzó su trayectoria en McKnight en 2013 como oficial de programas, donde dirigió nuestra Iniciativa de Escuelas Pathway, una iniciativa con múltiples socios centrada en la alfabetización, el liderazgo y la docencia en las escuelas de Twin Cities. Además de esta iniciativa, diseñó estrategias clave para reclutar y apoyar al personal de educación infantil de Minnesota y para dar voz a las familias y las comunidades en las políticas educativas.
In recent years, she has helped align program strategies across the Foundation and led high-impact initiatives like the GroundBreak Coalition, a cross-sector group of more than 40 philanthropic, private, and public institutions mobilizing billions to expand wealth building opportunities for Twin Cities residents, starting with Black homeowners, entrepreneurs, and commercial developers.
Antes de unirse a la Fundación, Erin trabajó en las Escuelas Públicas de Brooklyn Center como docente de aula e intervencionista en alfabetización. Tiene una licenciatura de Carleton College, una maestría en políticas y gestión educativa de la Universidad de Harvard y un doctorado en liderazgo y políticas educativas K-12 de la Universidad de Vanderbilt.
Erin’s career has centered on learning, equity, and systems change, and she brings those same commitments as a chief of staff.
We celebrate Erin for her outstanding contributions and for stepping into a role that will strengthen McKnight’s leadership and shape the path ahead.
