I create spaces, stories, and strategies that help people feel connected, seen, and empowered to lead change.

Kia ora, ko Erica Austin toku ingoa. I’m a multipotentialite- person with multiple passions - actively weaving futures that honour joy, complexity and justice. I’m a versatile Community Strategist, Facilitator, Designer, Photographer, Experience Curator, Strengths Network Accredited Coach, and Leadership Consultant.

I work with individuals, teams, and organisations to design experiences that foster collaboration, inclusion, and systemic impact. Drawing on my background in architecture and leadership development, I help people bridge conversations across sectors and create spaces - physical, digital, and cultural - where everyone can thrive.

My work is grounded in a strengths-based approach that celebrates what’s strong, not what’s wrong, and activates collective capability for change.

A Portrait of a Multipotentialite Curator

Stories for Impact is a two-day Digital Storytelling Workshop. A hands-on experience that's all about FINDING, MAKING, EDITING & SHARING powerful narratives using nothing more than your smartphone or affordable tools. Since 2018, I’ve been traveling across Aotearoa NZ delivering these workshops to community leaders.

As a Leadership Consultant at Leadership Lab NZ, I facilitate Leadership in Communities (LinC Project) Cultivator and Activator programmes. Leadership Lab operates as a collective with a wide range of individuals teaming up to contribute in a range …

As a Leadership Consultant at Leadership Lab NZ, I co-lead programmes dedicated to amplifying marginalised voices, promoting allyship, and fostering intersectionality - all rooted in a strengths-based framework aimed at driving systemic change. Leadership Lab operates as a collective with a wide range of individuals teaming up to contribute in a range of projects while also supporting and developing each other in the process. We work together with communities and organisations to tackle complex issues.

PechaKucha (Japanese for “chit chat”) is the world’s fastest-growing storytelling platform, used by millions around the globe. 20 slides. 20 seconds of commentary per slide. I started my journey with PechaKucha Night Christchurch in 2015 and was the Lead City Organiser from 2017-2022. At these events, people share hilarious, heartwarming, tear-jerking PechaKucha presentations at brick & mortar venues around the city.

I became a Strengths Network Accredited Coach in early 2024. CliftonStrengths has become a cornerstone of my practice. With individuals, I support people to recognise their talents, explore their edges, and design ways to grow through reflection and intentional action. With teams, I help members understand one another’s themes, appreciate difference, and create conditions where collaboration flows more naturally.

Open Christchurch is an annual festival celebrating the most exceptional architecture, designed places and spaces in the city. I’ve worked with Te Pūtahi (Centre for Architecture and City Making) for five editions of FESTA and as Programme Manager for Open Christchurch since the pilot in 2019.

We were working on an in-person unconference in May 2020. Then Covid-19 came and we pivoted - a lot! With lockdown, we decided to work on Aotearoa’s first Virtual Impact Unconference. Along with other volunteer organisers, I played the role of Curation and Project Management Lead as well as Weaver on the day of the event.

Since meeting my husband, Jonny Knopp, in 2013, I started photographing with him at his business: Peanut Productions Photography. We love to photograph all sorts of things from portraits, to weddings to local and international events. We also specialise in instant social media photography for conferences.

Ako Ōtautahi Learning City Christchurch is a non-profit organisation that nurtures and amplifies learning opportunities that are equitable, accessible, and innovative across the city. We’re building a learning ecosystem ensuring everyone has the chance to grow, connect, and thrive. What began as a temporary role in 2019 evolved into a deep commitment to building a learning city as a Trustee. I now serve as the Acting Kaiwhakahaere (CEO).

I took on the Programme Manager role at Lightning Lab Tourism 2019. This was a three-month business acceleration programme run by CreativeHQ focused on building a sustainable innovation ecosystem for the future of tourism in New Zealand. I had the opportunity to work with 8 startups, 2 industry project teams, multiple mentors and speakers in this action-packed programme. Check out the highlights from the 2019 programme.

Back for the 7th time at TEDxChristchurch as an organiser. In 2019, I led the diversity and inclusion team and worked with Matapopore, our cultural partner, to co-design our 10th event themed: Tūrangawaewae. They brought in their expertise to create a truly inclusive event honouring bi-culturalism and multi-culturalism throughout the event. The organisers are all volunteers and it's great to celebrate our 10th event at the Town Hall.

A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.

— Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.