Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Chupka.

Hi Erin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My career has been shaped by a long-standing commitment to supporting the growth and development of young people, especially girls. I began my professional journey in roles that allowed me to learn how strong organizations are built from the inside out; through thoughtful programming, sustainable systems, and passionate people who believe in the work. Along the way, I saw firsthand how access, representation, and consistent support can dramatically change the trajectory of a young person’s life.

That understanding ultimately led me into youth development and nonprofit leadership, where I found my home. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to grow from programmatic and operational roles into executive leadership, gaining a deep appreciation for what it takes to scale impact while staying rooted in mission. Today, I serve as the Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas, where I work alongside an incredible team to equip and empower girls to grow up healthy, educated, and independent. Leading this organization has been both humbling and energizing. It requires balancing vision with execution and always centering the voices and experiences of the girls and families we serve.

Looking back, my path hasn’t been linear, but it has been intentional. Each lesson, challenge, and opportunity has reinforced my belief in the power of investing in girls and the communities that surround them. I’m motivated by the idea that when girls are given the tools, confidence, and support to realize their potential, the ripple effects are transformative. That belief continues to guide my work and the way I show up as a leader every day.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been far from smooth, and in many ways, I’m grateful for that. On a personal level, some of the most challenging and formative years of my life were spent building a nonprofit career while earning my MBA and starting a family. Navigating all those commitments at once required an extraordinary amount of focus, sacrifice, and perseverance. There were moments of exhaustion and self-doubt, but also deep clarity about what

mattered most. Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of how I showed up for each of those roles with presence, intentionality, and a commitment to excellence, even when the path felt overwhelming.

Professionally, leading an organization through rapid growth has brought its own set of challenges. As the impact of Girls Inc. Dallas has expanded, and our vision has grown, we’ve had to navigate resource constraints, staffing changes, and the complexity of building new programs and delivery models to meet the evolving needs of girls. Growth is energizing, but it’s rarely easy. Through those moments, I’ve learned something important about myself: I’m a builder. I love creating, strengthening, and scaling impact, and I’ve come to realize that challenges and obstacles don’t discourage me; they motivate me. Smooth roads are comfortable, but it’s the difficult terrain that brings out the best of my leadership and makes the work truly rewarding.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas?
Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas is driven by a simple but powerful mission: to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Founded in 1968 by civic-minded women responding to unmet needs among girls experiencing economic insecurity, the organization has grown from a single center in West Dallas into a leading catalyst for girls’ development across the region. Today, we deliver high-impact, research-based programming that supports girls’ physical and emotional wellness, academic achievement, and leadership development from early elementary school through the transition to college and early career.

We are best known for delivering the Girls Inc. Experience, a comprehensive, year-round continuum of programs serving girls ages 6 to 24. Our work is grounded in national curricula and organized around three core components: Strong, which promotes health and wellness; Smart, which supports academic achievement and

career readiness; and Bold, which builds leadership and life skills. We specialize in addressing the root causes that limit girls’ opportunities, including economic mobility, STEM underrepresentation, teen pregnancy, and social-emotional challenges. Program offerings include weekly enrichment in schools and after school, school break and summer camps, Saturday workshops, and long-term cohort experiences.

What truly sets Girls Inc. Dallas apart is our intentional, pro-girl, all-girl environment built on belonging, trust, and sisterhood, where professional staff serve as consistent mentors and walk alongside girls through every stage of development. I’m most proud of the depth and sustained impact of our work, reaching girls in more than 50 schools and community sites across 31 zip codes and seeing participants grow into confident, capable young women with strong aspirations for their futures. When girls are given the space, support, and confidence to lead, they don’t just transform their own lives; they transform their communities and inspire the generations that follow.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
My perspective on risk-taking has evolved significantly over the course of my career. Early on, I received feedback that I was too risk-averse, a comment that initially challenged me but ultimately became formative. It pushed me to examine where fear was holding me back and gave me the courage to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector, a decision that remains one of the best I’ve ever made. Choosing a mission-driven path felt like a leap at the time, but it aligned deeply with my values and set the foundation for the work I do today.

Since then, I’ve been intentional about expanding my tolerance for risk. I’ve had to confront a fear of failure and redefine what success looks like when outcomes aren’t guaranteed. Each major risk, whether charting an unfamiliar career path, stepping into a new leadership role, or launching innovative programs and delivery models, has brought learning and growth. Even when things haven’t gone exactly as planned, those moments have consistently produced insight, resilience, and progress.

Today, I view risk not as something to avoid, but as a necessary ingredient for meaningful change. I’ve learned that thoughtful risk-taking fuels innovation and adaptability, especially in challenging environments. This mindset has shaped how I lead, encouraging experimentation, learning, and courage within our team. I’m confident in my ability to navigate uncertainty and make bold decisions in service of impact, knowing that growth often lives just beyond comfort.