Meet Erica Torkelson, Director of Finance

The Aim Higher Foundation is delighted to introduce Erica Torkelson as our new Director of Finance.

Erica brings a deep institutional understanding of the Foundation’s financial operations, having supported the foundation in a contract role since 2019. Over the past several years, she has been a steady and trusted partner in managing day-to-day accounting, ensuring strong internal controls, and providing decision-ready reporting with accuracy and transparency. Her transition into this leadership role reflects both her expertise and her long-standing commitment to the mission.

Ricky Austin, president of the Aim Higher Foundation, shared, “Erica has served for years as a trusted financial partner for our organization. I’m thrilled that she is joining us as a team member. Her command of our financial operations, paired with a disciplined and forward-looking approach, strengthens our ability to grow with discipline and clarity. As we expand our scholarship support significantly over the next several years, her leadership will ensure that we are doing so with the integrity, transparency, and the financial resilience our mission demands.”

In her role as Director of Finance, Erica will oversee all financial functions and help shape the Foundation’s financial strategy as it scales, including accounting operations, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. She will serve as a key advisor to the President and the Board, guiding financial strategy, strengthening resource allocation decisions, and ensuring the long-term sustainability and scalability of the organization.

“It has been a privilege to support Aim Higher’s mission over the past several years, and I’m honored to step into this role,” Erica reflected. “I’m inspired by the impact we make for students and families, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen the Foundation’s financial stewardship in service of that mission.”

About the Aim Higher Foundation
The Aim Higher Foundation provides renewable tuition-assistance scholarships up to $1,500 per student so that more children in the twelve-county Twin Cities metro area can experience the life-changing benefits of a Catholic education. Since 2012, the foundation has awarded 19,000 scholarships worth nearly $18M to children to attend Catholic schools serving K-8 students in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.