Erika Whyte

Erika serves as a thought leader and architect of Janney’s enterprise Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy, including short-, medium- and long-term objectives and key outcomes. She is responsible for developing programs in support of the firm’s strategic direction to attract, retain, and develop a diverse workforce, as well as engage and address the needs of diverse investors and clients. Erika works closely with Janney’s senior executives to help them build and enhance their DEI strategies to meet their business objectives. She is also the advisor to Janney’s Employee Resource Groups.

Erika has more than 30 years of professional experience in relationship management, strategic planning, as well as change and performance management with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has held various DEI executive leadership positions, including most recently as Assistant Vice President, Enterprise Diversity, and Inclusion at Lincoln Financial Group.

She sits on the board of the Montgomery County Mainline Chamber of Commerce, is the Co-Chair of the diversity, equity and inclusion advisory board for the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), and is a member of Chief, an organization designed and dedicated for women in the C-Suite, senior executives, and accomplished VPs to strengthen their leadership, magnify their influence, and pave the way to bring others with them. Amongst her most recent accolades are being named a 2023 Diversity in Business Award winner by the Philadelphia Business Journal and being recognized by City & State Pennsylvania as one of the commonwealth’s most influential difference makers. Erika is often sought after to deliver keynote addresses and serve as a subject matter expert panelist and moderator for various symposiums, workshops, and seminars. She especially enjoys speaking to young people where she shares her three B’s to success – Be Bold, Be Brave and Bet on You!

Erika has also held roles at JPMorgan Chase & Co., BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, and PNC Global Investments. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Temple University and master’s degree from Florida Institute of Technology.