Erica Colston
Erica joined TIP in October 2023 after two years supporting economic development programs and partnerships in the Austin region and in other Texas metros. Her recent work includes finalizing an economic development strategic plan for the City of Georgetown, Texas, researching state-level and university technology transfer best practices for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and supporting organizational and workforce planning for Texas clients. Prior to joining the firm, she coordinated talent development programs and facilitated education partnerships at the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce through Opportunity Austin, an initiative aimed at fostering job-creating investment across the region. Raising regional postsecondary attainment levels through college access support initiatives was a central aim of this work. She also previously coordinated defense innovation partnerships at Capital Factory, an Austin-based venture capital firm and incubator. In this role, Erica supported government partnerships with military and defense clients investing non-dilutive capital in emergent technologies. She has a background in public policy and national security research with the Institute for the Study of War. Erica is Ukrainian-American, and she holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Global Studies and in History from the University of Texas at Austin.
