Erica Torres-Ness

Erica Torres-Ness has over 13 years of work experience. In 2007, they began their career as an Art Department Coordinator at USA 829. In 2013, they moved on to become a Finance Administrator at The Salvation Army, where they were responsible for tracking a $12m Hurricane Sandy Relief budget. Her accurate reports and statistics led to extended funding through 2015. In 2014, they took on the role of Post-Production Manager and Photo Retoucher at Where It's Greater, where they supervised a post-production team, managed schedules, organized file delivery and archives, and communicated with photographers and clients. Erica also led a retouching team and used expert Photoshop knowledge to transform photographs into published digital assets. In 2018, Erica became a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) at CASA of Los Angeles, where they performed monthly check-ins and attended court hearings with their foster youth. Erica also documented meetings and conversations using ETO software. That same year, Erica volunteered as a Medical Coordinator at Immigrant Families Together/ Each Step Home, advocating for asylum-seeking immigrants, many of whom were detained and separated from their children at the U. S. Southern border. In 2020, Erica began an MSW Internship at Champions In Service of San Fernando Valley and Greater Los Angeles, where they spearheaded a program planning project to re-open the Tattoo Removal Program that closed due to COVID-19. Erica also coordinated a team to research best practices, evaluate past successes and pain points, and plan logistics for an updated system. Erica also designed and developed CIS’s website, which helped procure a grant from the TOMS Impact program. In 2021, Erica began a role as an MSW Intern, Health Program Analyst I at the Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education (OAECE). In this role, they collected and analyzed data for a major needs assessment report on the status of early care and education (ECE) in Los Angeles County. Erica also organized information and project timelines, and contributed to planning and implementation of monthly meetings for the Child Care Planning Committee (LA's LPC). Finally, in 2022, Erica began roles as a Business Development Technical Writer at WeeCare and an Administrative Aide at the Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education.

Erica Torres-Ness received their Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) from New York University in 2005, where they studied Film and Television Production. Erica is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work - MSW at the University of Southern California, which they are expected to complete in 2022.