Erika Bailey-Johnson

Sustainability Director @Bemidji State University

Bemidji, MN, US

Erika Bailey-Johnson is the Sustainability Director at Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College in Bemidji, Minnesota. She works in the Ganawendakamigaawigamig (Office of Earth-Caretaking or Sustainability Office). She completed her BA in Biology from the University of Minnesota, Morris and her Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from BSU. Her background is in science teaching, and Erika and her husband taught for two years in Mexico and three years in Kuwait before returning home to Northern Minnesota. In 2014, Erika was named one of the top 40 under 40 business professionals in the region by Prairie Business Magazine, and in 2015 as one of the top 40 under 40 professionals in the Midwest working to accelerate America’s transition to a clean energy economy by Midwest Energy News. She speaks at regional and national conferences on BSU’s unique sustainability model which includes a wellness component and an emphasis on integrating indigenous voices. Erika is currently on the board for Happy Dancing Turtle in Pine River and is a core member of the City of Bemidji Sustainability Committee. Erika maintains an active schedule with two young boys and a passion to make the Bemidji community a healthier and more sustainable place.

University of Minnesota-Morris

Biology, B.S.

Bemidji State University

MS, Environmental Studies, Policy and Planning