About
Erika Oakes is Director of Strategic Initiatives at TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario, where she leads programming to support startups and scale-ups across the region. She previously founded and operated a sustainably focused clothing brand with e-commerce and retail components, which she exited in 2024, and has worked as a business strategy consultant advising entrepreneurs on positioning and growth. Her background includes five years as a secondary school teacher and involvement in London's entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a focus on supporting female founders.
Experience
- TechAlliance of Southwestern OntarioDirector Strategic Initiativescurrent2025 — presentLondon, ON
- Women's Equity LabManaging Partner, London Ontario Fundcurrent2026 — presentLondon, ON
- King's University CollegeAlumni Board Membercurrent2025 — present
- EOCBusiness Consultantcurrent2024 — presentLondon, Ontario, Canada
- Fanshawe CollegeProfessor2024London, Ontario, Canada
- Os & Oakes.Co-Founder2016 — 2024London, ON
- Os & Oakes.Owner/ Co-founder2016 — 2024London, Ontario, Canada
- Os & Oakes.Co-Founder2016 — 2023London, Ontario, Canada
- The Blushing Babes SocietyFounder2018 — 2020London, Ontario, Canada
- Fanshawe CollegeStudent Outreach and Entrepreneurial Educator, LEAP Junction2015 — 2017
- District School Board Ontario North EastSecondary Teacher2009 — 2013Iroquois Falls, Ontario, Canada
Education
- Western UniversityMinor in Georgrahy, Social Sciences2003 — 2007
- Griffith UniversityMaster's of Teaching, Secondary Education and Teaching2008 — 2009
- King's University CollegeBachelor of Arts (B.A.), English Language and Literature2003 — 2007
Skills & more
Team ManagementStrategic PlanningTeamwork11Public Speaking6Leadership2Team Leadership3Project Management1Corporate EventsEntrepreneurship EducationBusiness StrategySocial Media MarketingSocial Media Communications
+12 more
Operations ManagementOperational PlanningUniversity LecturingBusiness AnalysisCurriculum DevelopmentLesson PlanningCurriculum DesignClassroomEducational LeadershipStudent DevelopmentPresentation SkillsCommunity OutreachFrom Erika's professional profile.
Colleagues at Women's Equity Lab
Alec Leclerc
Board Member at Women's Equity Lab
Ariel Siller
Managing Director at Women's Equity Lab
Barbara Henderson
Board Member at Women's Equity Lab
Carolyn Best
Board Member at Women's Equity Lab
Christina Fox
Managing Partner at Women's Equity Lab
Claudia Blum
Board Member at Women's Equity Lab
Elizabeth Dutton
Board Member at Women's Equity Lab
Irene Dorsman
CEO + Director at Angel Forum
Frequently asked questions
- Where does Erika Oakes work?
- Erika Oakes is Managing Partner at Women's Equity Lab.
Same school
Also attended Western University186
Jasmine YangVice President at Sapphire VenturesKevin GaburaInvestor at Craft VenturesTanuj DuttaGeneral Partner at Congruent VenturesLindsay HamiltonInvestment Manager - Finance at Emerald Technology Ventures AgMichelle KwokPrincipal at Draper AssociatesJenny HeFounder & General Partner at Position Ventures
+ 180 more
Also attended Griffith University23
Harri PriceExecutive Assistant at Giant Ventures Global LlpAnna TyndalePortfolio Success Lead at AirTree VenturesJai SheridanClient Services Manager at AirTree VenturesSam BakerInvestor at Planet A VenturesReuben BramaInvestor at IDEO CoLab VenturesAlessa SängerInvestment Associate at Future Energy Ventures
+ 17 more
