About Us
We are a global collective of women founders creating positive change through business.
We believe every woman deserves to create her own future, contribute her unique value, and make her mark in the world.
Élanoura was created to bring together women and non-binary leaders who want to make positive change through their businesses. We enlighten, engage, and empower women founders to think beyond their self-interest and infuse a higher purpose into what their companies produce. It starts with the recognition that we each have the opportunity to take responsibility for what we put out into the world.
As a social enterprise, Élanoura donates 10% of fees received from our efforts to nonprofit partners, and creates impact opportunities for our members to give their time, knowledge, and support to women around the world.
Our efforts work toward four of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
ACHIEVE GENDER EQUALITY AND EMPOWER ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS
We elevate women globally through education, support, connection, and opportunities for impact. We also donate 10% of retreat fees to nonprofit partners supporting women and girl's rights.
PROMOTE SUSTAINED, INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH
We support women building businesses that generate long-term value, sustainable solutions, and a legacy of positive impact through enlightenment, engagement, and empowerment.
ENSURE INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE QUALITY EDUCATION
We provide training opportunities that guide, educate, and inspire women founders and founders-to-be, globally. We also offer a training fellowship for women college students and recent graduates.
REDUCE INEQUALITY WITHIN AND AMONG COUNTRIES
We offer a fellowship for global women founders in countries lacking support and resources, and we will hold our first Local Women Founders Pitch Day in Egypt to fund women-owned businesses in local economies.
The women backstage
Meet the Team
Founder & CEO
Erika Brechtel
Erika Brechtel is an L.A.-based brand builder for women leaders and founders for over 20 years, featured on Forbes, HuffPost, Popsugar, Today.com and SELF.
Erika speaks for organizations such as UCLA Anderson, Junior League, Bumble Bizz, and Fabletics, and is a volunteer and non-profit board member for over 30 years committed to the empowerment of women and girls globally.
Born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, Erika is now living her best life raising a 14-year old woman in Los Angeles, California.
GO TO ERIKABRECHTEL.COM
Retreat travel planner
Maria Jose Herrera
Mariajose Herrera, a dedicated right-hand executor to visionary women founders and entrepreneurs. Leveraging her education, skills, and extensive 14-year corporate background in finance, project management, and event planning, Maria entered the entrepreneurial sphere to establish Avventura Vida. Holding an MBA in International Business, she now serves as the driving force behind a business dedicated to empowering visionary women. In the roles of virtual project manager, bookkeeper, and retreat planner, Maria's commitment is to bring others' visions to life with precision and excellence.
GO TO avventuravida.COM
Web Developer
Hae Park
Haeun Park is a website design and developer based in the SF Bay Area. Through Made at Dawn, Haeun works with startups and small businesses to craft thoughtful websites that make meaningful connections.
Haeun actively works with non-profits such as Mission in the Running and impact-first organizations such as Élanoura.