Erika Sessions, MS

An enthusiastic, mission-driven leader specializing in workforce development, healthcare regulatory compliance, and policy initiatives.

Experienced in building and scaling solutions that enhance organizational impact and deliver measurable outcomes for underserved populations.

Adept in overcoming challenges that restrict industry growth and advancement from the direct care workforce shortage to assuring accessible, quality care for individuals receiving support services: older adults and people with disabilities who want to age in place with dignity and autonomy.

Experience

With experience as a Senior Director of Compliance & Policy Development, I led a team that conducted extensive research to identify, document, and analyze regulatory requirements for caregiver training across states, settings, and programs. I examined and promoted policy trends in long-term and community-based care settings through reports, webinars, and public speaking. Strong communication and interpersonal skills equipped me to be a mission-critical contributor at a rapidly growing company despite frequent regulatory changes and policy impacts on the industry and our customers.

I have led impact-driven initiatives to support workforce development through innovation and implementation of programs promoting career pathways for direct care workers in their pursuit of meaningful careers and employers in overcoming recruitment and retention challenges. I have designed compliance-based training and continuous improvement solutions identifying strategic opportunities in healthcare.

I oversaw work to aggregate data through a custom-designed database and reimagined workforce and career solutions based on current industry standards and best practices for home care and other healthcare verticals. I can provide real-time legislative guidance and thought leadership.

Career Highlights

  • Senior Director of Compliance and Policy Development, CareAcademy

    • Created employer-driven training programs for 500,000 direct care workers.

    • Researched and documented nearly 600 senior care provider types, building a comprehensive database to drive product innovation.

    • Implemented legislative tracking that safeguarded $1.4M in annual recurring revenue (ARR).

    • Used AI to achieve a 97.5% efficiency improvement in developing lead-driving webpages.

    • Built scalable solutions that increased state-specific employer-led senior care training programs tenfold.

    • Secured 34x growth in state approvals and board accreditation, enhancing program accessibility and impact.

  • Sales & Marketing Project Manager, Planar Systems

    • Forged partnerships to increase brand visibility, executing product roadshows, event sponsorships, and corporate training events.

    • Directed multi-department projects, delivering on time and within budget.

  • Regulations & Compliance Manager, IPCed

    • Created scalable compliance training programs for senior care, addressing state-specific requirements and approvals.

    • Enhanced operational workflows to optimize performance and customer satisfaction.

Notable Achievements

  • Secured a $1.5M CalGrows Grant to elevate workforce training for California caregivers.

  • Spearheaded new product innovations, including workforce development programs for recruitment, retention, and meaningful employment.

  • Implemented an automated regulatory alert system.

  • Partnered with Southern New Hampshire University to pioneer career advancement pathways for caregivers

As a contributing member of leadership teams, I have participated in strategic planning offering a deep understanding of cross-functional collaboration and execution to support rapid growth, scale, and deliver innovative solutions. Coordinating with stakeholders, partners, and thought leaders, I ensure organizations have the resources needed to enhance products, sales tools, and training to provide market disruption in healthcare.

Education

Master of science - healthcare management

Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)

In this program, I acquired business management skills with a focused lens on the American healthcare system including history, current state, process and operational improvements, change leadership, project management, and innovation for solutions.

Throughout this program, I worked independently and in teams both as a contributor and leader to analyze and implement process improvements, practice and deploy best practices in project management, and apply and strengthen corporate strategy. One of my major accomplishments was being the presenter for my team's final capstone project to our entire program and staff.

Bachelor of art - Environmental science

University of Denver (DU)

During my time at the University of Denver, I achieved my degree along with Minors in Spanish and Geology and focused on Ecology and Botany. With a drive to see the world and learn in the field, I sought opportunities that allowed me to research a variety of cultures and landscapes both domestically and abroad. As a result of my education at DU, I honed my organization, communication, and leadership skills and applied my self-motivated and adaptable personality to immerse myself in my studies and in diverse communities.

Skillset

Healthcare expertise: Senior Care regulatory compliance, policy, and trends across states and settings

Training, presenting, and public speaking across complex topics and to achieve buy-in

Collaborative and engaging to execute toward the goal

Process development and implementation for operational efficiency and scalable business solutions

Auditing, risk assessment, and quality control

Data-driven decision-making, market analysis, user feedback synthesis, and performance tracking

Technical proficiencies: Microsoft Office Suite, Asana, FiscalNote, Salesforce, Quickbase

Goals

To familiarize myself with the complexities of a challenge and working thoughtfully to problem-solve in order to build and renovate the healthcare system.

To pursue change to improve care outcomes making a positive impact in the care continuum.

Partner and collaborate with others to:

  • Enable meaningful solutions for direct care workforce health and development.

  • Innovate to improve healthcare organizations, professionals, and care services.

  • Train and education on the accomplishments, opportunities, and challenges.

To make the complexities of the American healthcare system in long-term and community-based care more navigable.