ABOUT ERIKA BRECHTEL
Strategic advisor, brand consultant, and social entrepreneur helping women make their mark matter.
My purpose is clear: elevating women globally. For more than two decades, I have helped founders, physicians, entrepreneurs, and leaders transform expertise, vision, and purpose into businesses, brands, programs, and initiatives that create meaningful impact. Through strategic advisory, brand development, speaking, and Élanoura, I help women bring their ideas to life and build work that reflects who they are and the contribution they want to make.
bio
Erika Brechtel is a strategic advisor, brand consultant, speaker, and social entrepreneur who has spent more than two decades helping founders, physicians, entrepreneurs, and women leaders transform ideas into meaningful work and lasting impact.
Her career has been defined by a common thread: helping people bring their vision to life with greater clarity, purpose, and intention. Since 2002, that work has included strategic advisory, brand development, speaking, mentoring, angel investing in women-led companies, nonprofit leadership, and social entrepreneurship. Through her consulting practice, she has advised leaders across healthcare, wellness, consumer products, professional services, and social impact, helping them build brands, businesses, programs, and platforms that reflect who they are and the contribution they want to make.
Erika has been featured in Forbes, Thrive Global, SELF Magazine, HuffPost, POPSUGAR, LUXE Magazine, and on the cover of OC Family Magazine. She has spoken for and facilitated workshops with organizations including UCLA Anderson School of Management, UCLA Alumni, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Junior League, Bumble Bizz, and Fabletics, sharing insights on branding, entrepreneurship, leadership, and purpose-driven growth.
A magna cum laude graduate of UCLA and former NCAA Division I athlete, Erika remains actively involved with the university community through the UCLA Alumni Mentor Program, UCLA Startup Social Entrepreneurship Summer Program, and Bruin Women in Business, helping students and emerging leaders navigate their next chapter. Her commitment to advancing opportunities for women has also included service on the boards of the State of Women Institute and the Junior League of Orange County, as well as volunteer leadership with organizations supporting girls’ education, career development, and community impact.
In 2022, Erika founded Élanoura, a social enterprise that brings women leaders together from around the world for purpose, connection, and impact. Since its founding, Élanoura has welcomed women from 24 countries across four retreats in Morocco, Mallorca, and Greece. Through nonprofit partnerships and in-person volunteering, participants have supported educational opportunities for girls, services for women survivors of violence, and job skills training and wellness programs for women and girl refugees, with 10% of every retreat fee donated directly to local organizations.
Erika is currently based in Los Angeles enjoying life with her 17 year old daughter before she leaves to study creative writing at university in the UK.
THE LASTING MARK
METHOD
01 IDENTITY
Who you are
02 EXPRESSION
How you bring it into the world
03 IMPACT
The difference it makes
How I Help Leaders Build Meaningful Work
IDENTITY is the first step: understanding who you are, what you stand for, and what matters most to you. EXPRESSION is how you bring that into the world through your ideas, work, voice, and presence. IMPACT is what becomes possible when that expression connects with others, creates change, and contributes something meaningful beyond you. This is the foundation of The Lasting Mark Method, my framework built around four essential elements:
People — Who are you here to serve?
Purpose — Why does this work matter?
Positioning — How is your value unique?
Personality — How is your value authentic?
Together, they create the foundation for what becomes meaningful work, stronger relationships, intentional growth, and an impactful life.
kind words
FROM WOMEN FOUNDERS
"I went on this trip thinking it was a business trip with the hope of maybe making at least one friend, but what actually ended up happening was I met 9 lifelong friends that I happened to discuss business with. I will be forever grateful to Erika as she curated a group that included such diverse women whom all I could relate to in one way or another and I look forward to watching them all grow and succeed not only in business but their personal life. Anyone would be crazy NOT to attend something Erika puts together."
Sheena Keo, SMK & CO.
"I’ve admired Erika and her work for YEARS and am now lucky enough to know her personally and work with her professionally. She is one of the most talented, creative, inspiring, and hard-working women."
Kat Tanita, With Love From Kat
"Traveling with the Élanoura Founder Retreat was truly a life changing experience. The trip from start to finish was curated so beautifully, from the moment we got there. Wow! This trip has opened up my eyes to world travel, to the importance of connection with other woman in a way I never knew was possible. Seeing life beyond the walls of the small town I live in and the experiences I’ve had in my life so far… I want more! Morocco was literally a DREAM come true. Thank you Erika for curating this magical experience, I am flooded with gratitude."
Emily Mughannam, Fletcher Rhodes Interior Design
"This retreat was truly life changing. I felt my travel to be very purposeful since I was able to contribute to something much bigger than myself. I am so grateful to Erika for putting all of this together, with every detail intricately woven into the beauty of the retreat. It doesn’t matter what stage of business you are in, every woman leader needs a space like this. To feel empowered, comfortable, and unapologetic around other women that are free to do the same. The lifelong friendships I have made here will be taken with me forever. My mind is blown as I try to absorb every piece of valuable experience I got in such a short time. My body, mind, and soul are happy. Thank you Erika 💕"
Brianna Diaz, BriGainz
"From day one, Erika demonstrated professional unparalleled dedication and creativity in crafting a unique brand identity for my business. She truly understood my vision and goals, leveraging her 20+ years of expertise to develop a brand guide that resonates with my target audience. I couldn't be happier with the results and highly recommend her services to anyone looking to establish a strong and memorable brand presence from your website to social media to business cards and more… Erika, thank you for making SMK & Co’s brand exactly what envisioned."
Sheena Keo, SMK & Co.
"Élanoura Global Founder's Retreat is an experience you don't want to miss. You are surrounded by the beautiful Moroccan desert, colorful fabrics and gold rimmed dishes everywhere but most importantly you are surrounded by savvy women business owners. Supporting each other by elevating our skills and making a difference in each others lives. Not only did I come back refreshed and renewed I came back with a full heart of gratitude. I made friends for life and am ready to elevate my business to the next level! Thank you Erika for creating such a beautiful foundation."
Elizabeth Hall, Eeze Natural Health
"Erika helped me determine my WHY, worked with me to develop a cohesive plan, got me to focus on my ideal customer; my vision grew from there and she created a design that was perfect for me and aligned with my goals."
Monica Shulman, Artist
"I have to tell you, I was always dying to come back and learn more even with having a 7 month old and an ever growing TO DO list. Your passion and knowledge kept pulling me back. I am truly so grateful and will recommend this course to anyone I know wanting to start something new. I feel so energized and excited for what is to come. I am so grateful for all the work and dedication you put into it because out of everything I have done to get prepared to launch my own business, I have to say this course gave me so much joy and excitement and it will have a lasting impact on me."
Maria M., Dallas TX
values
01 IMPACT
I support people who want to create meaningful value and positive change through their work.
02 INTEGRITY
I choose to work with people who believe in creating quality, and who are thoughtful with their impact on their families, employees, customers, and communities.
03 COLLABORATION
I build lasting relationships with people rooted in mutual trust. I am honored that they have come back again and again for new initiatives, partnerships, launches, and refreshes through the years.
04 ACCOUNTABILITY
I believe in transparency, honesty, kindness, respect, accountability, and delivering my best. And I choose to work with people who believe the same.
consulting
speaking
impacting
