# Erika Lucas

> Erika Lucas is an Oklahoma City-based entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for economic opportunity. She co-founded StitchCrew, founded VEST, established VEST Her Ventures, and hosts the VEST Her Podcast. Her earlier work in international manufacturing, Oklahoma economic development, and private equity informs her focus on expanding access to capital and professional networks for overlooked entrepreneurs and women.

- **Role:** Founder and Chief Executive Officer at VEST; Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at StitchCrew; General Partner at VEST Her Ventures
- **Organizations:** VEST, StitchCrew, VEST Her Ventures, Thunder Launchpad, Arvest Bank, Diversion Hub, Just Economy Institute, Latino Corporate Directors Association
- **From:** Chihuahua, Mexico
- **Nationality:** Mexican
- **Education:** Just Economy Institute
- **Known for:** Co-founded StitchCrew and developed its accelerator partnership with the Oklahoma City Thunder., Founded VEST and established VEST Her Ventures to invest in women-led companies., Received the 2021 Oklahoma Women in Technology Trailblazer Award.

## Career timeline

- **—** — Began her career helping international manufacturing companies establish operations in Mexico.
- **2008-2014** — Directed trade and foreign direct investment for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
- **2014-2017** — Worked at Acorn Growth Companies in private equity leadership.
- **2017** — Launched StitchCrew with Chris Lucas.
- **2018** — Established the Thunder Launchpad accelerator in partnership with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- **2019** — Delivered America’s Trillion Dollar Blindspot at TEDxOU.
- **2020** — Founded VEST, a peer network for women professionals.
- **2021** — Received Oklahoma Women in Technology’s Trailblazer Award.
- **2024** — Participated in the SEC Small Business Forum and joined the Just Economy Institute’s 2024-2025 fellowship cohort.

## Achievements

- Co-founded StitchCrew and developed its accelerator partnership with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
- Founded VEST and established VEST Her Ventures to invest in women-led companies.
- Received the 2021 Oklahoma Women in Technology Trailblazer Award.
- Delivered the 2019 TEDxOU talk America’s Trillion Dollar Blindspot.
- Selected for the Just Economy Institute’s 2024-2025 fellowship.
- StitchCrew’s impact page, accessed October 2026, reports 300 companies supported; supported companies generate over $43 million in revenue and have created more than 1,000 jobs.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — Appeared on Immigrantly’s What Investors Say After Founders Leave the Room, published August 25, discussing her immigrant background and capital access.
- **2026-10** — As of this research date, VEST’s membership page states its fund is fully deployed and is not making new investments.
- **2026-10** — As of this research date, StitchCrew reports 300 companies supported and 600 women supported through VEST.
- **2025-11** — Appeared on The Soul of Capital to discuss reshaping capital flows for women and founders outside coastal investment hubs.

## Links

- Website: https://www.erikalucas.co/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-lucas-51207911/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika_lucas07/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erika_lucas7

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/erika-lucas
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-09