Special Announcement: Erin Cole Named WEN Chief Executive Officer

Sherry Turner Transitions to Advisory Role and Turns Attention to New Adventures

Kansas City, MO — February 27, 2026 — The Women’s Employment Network (WEN) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Erin Cole, LMSW, as Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1. This transition marks a new chapter for one of Kansas City’s leading organizations advancing women’s economic success. Cole brings 16 years of progressive leadership at WEN to her new role.

Cole, currently WEN’s Chief Operating Officer, succeeds longtime President Sherry Turner, who will move into an advisory role and turn her attention to new adventures in other community projects.

Since joining WEN’s leadership team, Cole has played a pivotal role in expanding programs, strengthening partnerships, and advancing innovative approaches that help women achieve sustainable employment and long-term financial stability. Her leadership builds on WEN’s nearly four-decade legacy of empowering women through career development, financial coaching, and holistic support services.

“Erin brings deep compassion, strategic vision, and an unwavering commitment to the women we serve,” said Turner. “She has a sincere commitment to our mission, a strong understanding of the communities we serve, and the leadership needed to guide this organization into its next chapter.”

Cole began her career as a community organizer and probation officer before joining WEN in 2010 as a case manager supporting women facing complex employment barriers. Over the past 16 years, she has risen through progressive leadership roles — including client services and development — to become COO.

"Erin brings deep compassion, strategic vision, and an unwavering commitment to the women we serve."

"I am honored to lead Women’s Employment Network into its next chapter,” said Cole. “When women gain stability through employment, the impact reaches far beyond the individual — strengthening families, workplaces, and our entire region. Our focus remains on expanding access, deepening employer partnerships, and embracing innovation so women are equipped to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce. Building on Sherry’s extraordinary leadership, we will continue advancing equitable employment opportunities across Kansas City."

This leadership transition reinforces WEN’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and collective impact — ensuring continued momentum for women’s workforce participation and entrepreneurship throughout the Kansas City area.

About Women’s Employment Network

Women’s Employment Network (WEN) is a nonprofit organization that offers job-search training and resources, individualized coaching, and financial education for women in the Kansas City metro area. WEN empowers women to achieve long-term economic independence through comprehensive workforce development services designed to meet each client’s unique goals and challenges.

The organization’s annual spring luncheon brings together many of the region’s most influential business and community leaders in support of women’s economic independence and success. Through the OneKC for Women Alliance, WEN has expanded its services and collaborative impact to meet the ever-changing needs of women, families, and entrepreneurs across the region.

About Erin Cole

Erin Cole is the incoming Chief Executive Officer of Women’s Employment Network (WEN), a nearly 40-year nonprofit advancing economic mobility for women across the Kansas City region. With more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit social service sector, Cole is recognized for scaling mission-driven organizations, strengthening cross-sector partnerships, and leading strategic growth during periods of change.

Since joining WEN in 2010, Cole has played a central role in the organization’s expansion and evolution. Over the past 16 years, she has advanced from direct client service into executive leadership, helping guide WEN through a period of significant growth — increasing the organization’s annual budget by approximately 70 percent and more than doubling the number of women served annually.

As Chief Operating Officer, Cole oversees enterprise operations, marketing, fundraising, and community engagement while aligning internal systems to support long-term sustainability. She provides financial and operational oversight of WEN’s $1.3M+ budget and has strengthened the infrastructure necessary to scale programs, deepen employer partnerships, and expand regional reach.

A forward-thinking workforce leader, Cole has championed innovation in employment access, including the launch of WEN’s AI for Beginners course — the first nonprofit-led program of its kind in Kansas City — preparing women to navigate AI-enabled hiring systems and an increasingly technology-driven job market. She has also strengthened employer engagement strategies and elevated WEN’s Annual Luncheon into one of Kansas City’s top fundraising events, raising more than $400,000 annually to advance economic opportunity.

Cole remains actively engaged in civic leadership across Kansas City. She currently supports education and youth development initiatives through Elementary School PTA, the Girl Scouts of Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri, service-learning partnerships with the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, and student workforce placements through Cristo Rey Kansas City High School. Her previous community leadership includes serving as Founding Board Secretary of Birdsall House Early Childhood Discovery Center, Board Member of Consensus KC, Steering Committee Member of Money Smart Kansas City, Field Liaison for the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, and Kansas City Regional Coordinator for Your Day Away. Her civic engagement reflects a long-standing commitment to leadership development, financial capability, and cross-sector collaboration.

Cole is a 2024 graduate of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Centurions Leadership Program, where she co-chaired the Criminal Justice Task Force, recognized as Task Force of the Year. She continues to invest in her professional development and looks forward to participating in Driving Pursuits in 2026. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare and is a Licensed Master of Social Work.