ELS.

New York City · Technology & Operations Leadership

EricaLezanStevens

I build the teams and systems that let great brands scale.

Senior Executive, Technology & Operations / New York City / Get in touch

About

I am a senior technology and operations executive who builds the back-end architecture behind fast-growing brands. I turn business systems into engines for growth, and I build the teams that keep them innovating and running.

My path into technology was not the usual one. I started in higher education, ran a company as CEO, and taught myself to code, and I am a longtime advocate for women in technology.

Focus

Where I do my best work.

Business systems & architecture

Back-end systems architecture and the roadmap that keeps a business running on good data.

ERP & enterprise platforms

Implementation, customization, and optimization. NetSuite certified.

Supply chain & operations

Planning, purchasing, warehousing, logistics, and allocation at scale.

Technology strategy

Re-architecting the stack and aligning technology with where the business is going.

Teams & leadership

Building, training, and leading the teams behind the systems.

Advisory & consulting

Helping mid-sized companies through transformation, process, and growth.

Experience

Two decades building and running the back office of growth.

Head of Business Systems
Boll & Branch

Own the back-end (and some front-end) systems architecture that keeps the business running on accessible, trustworthy data, acting as systems product manager and maintaining the development pipeline and systems roadmap.

2020–present
President & Partner
TrueNorthern

Advisory practice for mid-sized companies: ERP implementation and customization, business process development, financial systems, training, and project management.

2011–present
VP, Supply Chain & Information Technology
Dylan's Candy Bar

Re-architected the company's entire technology stack and led supply chain end to end: planning, purchasing, warehousing, logistics, and allocation. Recognized with a SuperNova Award for the transformation.

2014–2020
Chief Executive Officer
Betterbee

Ran planning, purchasing, product development, and financial oversight; drove a 60% cut in energy consumption and grew net profit through infrastructure and process improvements; led omni-channel marketing and the company's education programs.

2007–2012

Earlier: leadership roles in higher education, including new-student orientation, residential programs, and survey research at North Carolina State University, North Carolina Wesleyan College, and UMBC (2000–2007).

Recognition & Education

Honors, Press & Certification

SuperNova Award, Constellation ResearchTechnology Optimization & Innovation; Matrix Commerce finalist
Small Business of the YearWashington County (NY), 2011, plus U.S. EPA Green Power Partner
Rang the NYSE closing bellInvited as a customer-success leader, 2015
Press & speakingNRF Stores Magazine ("Candy Crush"); CXO Talk interview on leadership & innovation
NetSuite CertifiedCertified Financial User

Education

University of Maryland, College ParkM.Ed., College Student Personnel2002–2004
North Carolina State UniversityB.A., Sociology1998–2002

Languages

EnglishNative
FrenchLimited working

Contact

Let's talk.

I'm always glad to talk with people about building businesses, teams, and the technology behind them. For speaking, advisory, or leadership conversations, start here.