The Main Street America Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the appointment of Erin Barnes as our next President and CEO. Erin was approved unanimously by the board and will begin her tenure on September 18. Her appointment comes after an extensive search process led by staff and a board-led transition task force with guidance from Koya Partners, a leading executive search firm.

“After months of vetting, interviews, and deliberation, we are delighted that we identified such a strong and dynamic leader to serve Main Street America in its next phase as an organization and movement,” said Darryl Young, MSA Board Chair. “Erin has a proven track record of mobilizing change-makers and driving meaningful impact in communities across the country over the course of her career.”

Most recently Erin served as co-founder and CEO of ioby, an online civic crowdfunding platform that focuses on connecting local leaders with support and funding to make their neighborhoods better places to live. During her 15 years there, Erin helped to raise nearly $20 million for over 3,500 projects across the nation ranging from public art installations to civic infrastructure improvements.

"I'm honored to join this fantastic organization and carry on the excellent foundations built by outgoing President and CEO Patrice Frey and Interim President and CEO Hannah White,” said Barnes. “And I'm so looking forward to learning about America's Main Streets by getting to know the people that support these critical civic and cultural places."

In 2018, Erin was named an inaugural Obama Foundation Fellow for ioby’s contribution to civic innovation. In 2012, the Rockefeller Foundation awarded Erin and her co-founders at ioby the Jane Jacobs Medal for New Technology and Innovation. Prior to her time at ioby, Erin was an environmental writer with a background in water management and a community organizer. Erin holds a B.A. in English and American Studies from the University of Virginia and a Master of Environmental Management from Yale University.

“Aside from her many accomplishments, Erin's entrepreneurial mindset, demonstrated ability to collaborate with a diverse set of stakeholders, and commitment to advancing racial equity and inclusion, make her ideally suited to lead the next chapter of Main Street America,” said Young. “Please join me in giving her a warm welcome when she starts in September.”

The Board would like to express sincere gratitude to Hannah White, MSA’s Interim President and CEO, who led the organization through this time of transition over the past year. Hannah will be continuing in a leadership role at Main Street America, working closely alongside Erin.