Community Circle Profile: Erin Cohen

Meet the members of our team! Erin Cohen is a passionate member of our marketing team, and it so happens that May is the month of her birthday. Read on for more about what she does and how she’s leaning in. Happy Birthday, Erin!

Lean In Canada: What do you do, and what do you enjoy most about it?

Erin Cohen: I am the Senior Brand Manager, Social Media at Yellow Pages Canada. In this role I am responsible for developing and implementing Yellow Pages Canada’s national brand strategy through its social media presence.

LIC: What motivated you to get involved with Lean In Canada?

EC: Life experience. I am fortunate to have grown up in a family that values gender equality and pushed me to be the best I can be. However as an adult, in both my personal and professional lives, I encountered both passive and overt gender discrimination — this included tuning in to the subtle differences between how men and women are treated in many different areas. I am now proud to be involved with the strongest female empowerment organization in Canada and look forward to helping bring awareness to these issues while simultaneously building a community and network of likeminded women and allies.

LIC: What issues facing women in Canada are most important to you?

EC: There are a number of issues that are close to my heart. Two of the most poignant for me are the treatment of women in the workplace and the pink tax that women pay.

LIC: What’s your favourite book?

EC: The Red Tent. Biblical feminism at its best!

LIC: What websites or blogs do you make sure to visit daily?

EC: Forbes, LinkedIn, and The Globe and Mail

LIC: Name a woman you know professionally who you find inspiring, and why she inspires you.

EC: My sister, Sara Cohen of Fertility Law Canada. She inspires me not only because she is my sister but also because of the incredible path she has walked during her career as a fertility lawyer. After her maternity leave with her first child, she started her own law practice in this niche area. She now travels worldwide speaking at conferences and meeting with clients. She set herself apart, promotes herself, and her work helps people achieve their dreams of building a family. What’s more inspiring than that?

LIC: What’s the most empowering thing you’ve done in your career?

EC: In a past position I saw an opportunity for a promotion. I sent an email to my supervisor and the VP of the organization outlining what my plan would be and how I would achieve it. I was terrified to hit send. But once I did there was no turning back and I was given the promotion.