README for Erika Parkins

At Cadence OneFive, my role is

Strat Growth Lead Building a systematic understanding of the investor landscape, including fit, and competition. Also working on our investor outreach strategy and positioning for those conversations.

Non-work

I am taking a life sabbatical and spending a couple of months in the south of France with my family. Not quite a year in Provence, but looking forward to proximity to nature and spending more time with my family. My intellectual curiosities include the ways in which communities develop, evolve and self-actualize- two degrees and many of my rabbit holes have started there. Fun fact - it once led to a study of utopian ideals of living, which was deemed too academic for what I was supposed to be doing, but it was recently an exhibit at MoMA so I fancy myself both cultured and ahead of my time. I buy more books than I actually have time to read and an employee at McNally Jackson once made me sad with the notion that I probably won’t read all the books I want, before I die. I could probably look that “fun fact” up and assuage my fears but I pick and choose my battles. A former music nerd and none-too-aspirational music writer, I still like to read liner notes, buy albums on vinyl and listen to people talk at length about someone’s catalog (60 songs that explain the 90s, Questlove Supreme, 33 ⅓ and Broken Record to name a few). I have no strong music opinions, like what I like and let the kids be into what they’re into. It’s quite clear why I am not writing about music today.

Work

I’m adept at bringing together disparate thoughts that I usually organize in a spreadsheet from which I’ll build my insights. I am in a constant battle to not build another dashboard but always end up bringing in enough data that facilitates the need for one. Over the past ten years, I’ve had the opportunity to take innovative ideas from concept to reality and find I’m comfortable with- and enjoy- the ambiguity that comes with building something different or new. I’m challenged and energized by building win-win scenarios with partners and stakeholders and aligning corporate interest with startup innovation.

Career goals

At this point, it’s simple- continue working in innovative spaces that not only engage me, but also align with my values. I think the world has shifted enough for there to be opportunity to create new values-aligned systems, products and services that benefit people and communities more. .

You can lean on me to …

Roll up my sleeves and pitch in where needed- we’re a team and we can all rise and win together. I’m also good for a no bs pep talk once I know you or work better.

How to support me as we work together

I like ideas and don’t think they all have to come from me. I’m open to exploring other ideas as well as receiving feedback to refine what I am thinking of or working on. Expectation / level setting - The sooner the better so I can reset if needed or simply to make sure we are on the same page. Sharing is caring - I’m not a keeper of information and always open to share, show, teach, etc. I also value learning from or receiving information from my peers.

Teamwork preferences

I can get heads-down/in-the-zone, but also like working with a small team. When that team hits its rhythm, I find even more creative ideas bubble up and even better things can come to fruition.

Currently working 9AM - 5:30PM CET (UTC+01:00)
Available for meetings before 11:30AM ET and will join at other times for team meetings and anything mission critical

Technical preferences

No preferences but I am a forever fan of the collaboration within Google suite, even if their apps aren’t as “powerful” as Microsoft’s.