Erika Helms is the executive director of the Jane Goodall Institute in China (JGI). JGI China is focused on environmental education through the Roots & Shoots Program, which has been implemented in hundreds of schools across China. She manages all JGI operations in China, including development of new programs, implementing fundraising, and overseeing offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Nanchang and Chengdu.
Erika has been living in China over 10 years. Before joining JGI China, Erika served as the China Program Coordinator for the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) in Kunming, Executive Assistant to the Director of Television Trust for the Environment International's projects in China, and as a TV News Producer for two international news channels.
Erika has a Master's degree in Public Administration (MPA) from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs; obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the Johns Hopkins University; and has completed an additional two years of full-time Chinese language study in China.
