Erin Chastain

Erin Chastain joined ESG in 2023 as a Senior Associate to support the Postsecondary Transitions portfolio. Before joining ESG, she was the Director of School Partnerships for Access ASU, within the outreach department at Arizona State University. During her time with Access, she strategically partnered with eight high school districts in the Phoenix metropolitan area, including the largest district in the state, to increase the number of students prepared to enroll and succeed at the university.

In addition to her work with schools, Erin led the Meta Network for School Improvement (NSI) in collaboration with a community organization, Be A Leader Foundation. The Meta Network focused on increasing four key outcomes for Black, Latino, and low-income students: college entrance exam participation, FAFSA completion, well-matched postsecondary applications, and enrollment support by building capacity for continuous improvement among school leaders in three high school districts.

Erin earned a Master’s degree in Higher Education with an emphasis in counseling from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Saint Mary’s College.

Why are you in this work?

I have had the fortunate experience of benefitting from education myself, and have made it my mission to increase access for all students. Education is transformational and yet so many students are not given the support they need to continue their own journey. If we can help just one student, the lasting impact that will have on their family and community will continue on and change the lives of others.

Why ESG?

There is a lot of great work on increasing access to postsecondary education being done across the country, and ESG is committed to not only highlighting this work, but to bringing people together with the goal of making a collective impact. To work on a team that brings such experience and passion to the work is a true highlight of mine.