Leila J. Erlandson is Person to Person’s executive director responsible for executive administration, organizational and program development, fundraising, event planning and public relations.  She has more than 16 years of nonprofit leadership experience as well as award-winning business, public relations and community relations experience.  Previously, Erlandson was manager of public affairs for American Express where she coordinated public relations and communications activities.  Additionally, she spent seven years at Padilla Speer Beardsley, a public relations consulting firm, where she planned and executed strategic public relations programs.  Erlandson served as a volunteer with homeless children for YouthLink for 10 years and she also served on the agency’s board of directors where she led the organization through benefits and compensation restructuring, board governance policy revisions, an executive director review process and provided leadership during a $2.4 million development campaign.  Erlandson volunteered as a day treatment therapist intern for Washburn Center for Children for the 2006-2007 school year. 

Erlandson holds a master’s degree in counseling and psychology from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota; a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Minnesota; and a mini master’s in international management from the University of St. Thomas.  She’s earned certificates in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy; Play Therapy, and Executive Director Leadership.  Erlandson holds several community service awards including a 2000 Donald G. Padilla Community Classics Volunteer Service Award, 1999 CityBusiness “Unsung Hero” Volunteer Award, a 1996 “WCCO Radio Good Neighbor” Volunteer Award, a 1996 “Eleven Who Care” Volunteer Recognition Award, and a 1994 American Institute for Public Service Jefferson Award, and a 1994 National Sjogren’s Syndrome Association Outstanding Volunteer Award.