Erika Baez-Grimes

When Erika Baez-Grimes tells me I should meet someone, my answer is simple: “When?”

And during International Women’s Month, I’ve been thinking a lot about why that matters.

Because Erika doesn’t just make introductions, she builds ecosystems.

She has built a powerful reputation in business transactions. If you’re buying or selling, she’s the one people trust. But what stands out even more is how she’s built it: by leading with generosity.

She gives first.
She connects intentionally.
And she makes people feel like they belong.

You know how you meet someone and they instantly become part of your circle?

That’s Erika.

Through her, I’ve been introduced to an incredible network of women: leaders, builders, innovators. Women who, not long ago, were often the only ones in the room.

That’s changing.

And what I’m seeing now feels less like progress… and more like momentum.

More women in leadership. More doors open. More voices at the table.

And yes, sometimes it even feels like a party (…even though we have along way to go).

But none of this happens in isolation.

We are standing on the shoulders of women like Edie Fraser (one of the women Erika said I must meet) whose lifelong commitment to advancing women, especially in underrepresented communities, continues to shape what’s possible for the next generation.

And for me, the real gift is this: Getting to know these women.

💛 Learning from them.
💛 Laughing with them.
💛 Building alongside them.

I’m deeply grateful to be in the room, and even more grateful for the women who make room for others.

hashtag#leadership hashtag#womeninleadership International Women’s ForumWhen Erika Baez-Grimes tells me I should meet someone, my answer is simple: “When?”

And during International Women’s Month, I’ve been thinking a lot about why that matters.

Because Erika doesn’t just make introductions, she builds ecosystems.

She has built a powerful reputation in business transactions. If you’re buying or selling, she’s the one people trust. But what stands out even more is how she’s built it: by leading with generosity.

She gives first.
She connects intentionally.
And she makes people feel like they belong.

You know how you meet someone and they instantly become part of your circle?

That’s Erika.

Through her, I’ve been introduced to an incredible network of women: leaders, builders, innovators. Women who, not long ago, were often the only ones in the room.

That’s changing.

And what I’m seeing now feels less like progress… and more like momentum.

More women in leadership. More doors open. More voices at the table.

And yes, sometimes it even feels like a party (…even though we have along way to go).

But none of this happens in isolation.

We are standing on the shoulders of women like Edie Fraser (one of the women Erika said I must meet) whose lifelong commitment to advancing women, especially in underrepresented communities, continues to shape what’s possible for the next generation.

And for me, the real gift is this: Getting to know these women.

💛 Learning from them.
💛 Laughing with them.
💛 Building alongside them.

I’m deeply grateful to be in the room, and even more grateful for the women who make room for others.

hashtag#leadership hashtag#womeninleadership International Women’s Forum