Erica C. Chen – Community Manager, WeWork

OF COURSE you do!

In 2016, I left the advertising industry. It was a pivotal moment for me. Since I was a young girl, I'd dreamed about being an Account Executive working in the exciting world of Advertising.

Years later--with a multitude of mixed experiences at different agencies--and I was starting over.

I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do but I was certain it had something to do with helping people and making people smile. I wanted to get out from behind the computer and let my natural talents shine.

One day, back in July of 2016

I walked into my first WeWork. My husband (boyfriend at the time) had just moved out of his office space and secured a dedicated desk in the new Northern Liberties WeWork.

All I could think was...

What is this magical place and are you hiring?

Do What You Love...

I was hired a few weeks later and immediately felt at home for the first time in my career. Finally, I was being paid and appreciated to talk with people, to connect them with others, to solve their problems and, sometimes, just to brighten their day.

It also never hurts to have fruit water and bottomless coffee to work with.

I've been at WeWork now coming up on 4 years and in that time I have had the most rewarding professional experiences of my career and have felt more pride than I even thought was possible in a job.

What I'm Proud Of

During my time at WeWork, I'm probably most proud of my 2018 Excellence Award for being member-focused and a community builder. I was one of 50 recipients of the award from over 3,000 nominations.

The award meant so much to me because it is something that I've been looking for my entire career: belonging. The award was validation and recognition that I belonged here and that all of the hard work and ownership I took in my work, was being acknowledged.

The award came nearly 2 years after I opened 1430 Walnut Street and managed all aspects of an operationally-challenged and expensive building with only two people (myself being one of them). After opening, my building increased membership occupancy from 25% to 80% in just 11 months. Shortly before leaving Walnut to take over 1601 Market St, we hit the 95% milestone.

During my time at WeWork so far, I have run more than 50 events, countless activation events, and even ran logistics and marketing for Philadelphia to participate in the company's first pride parade. I've been to summer camp and summit, I've visited WeWorks all over the US and a bunch internationally.

I even got engaged at WeWork!

No matter what gossip I've seen in the news, I never lose sight of what WeWork is really all about...

It's about all of us, coming together to co-work. That includes our members and our incredible team and I couldn't have accomplished anything here at WeWork without both of them.

I'm so glad that I've found the type of role I was meant to be in.

Read My Blog
(Mostly Member Stories)

Read My Blog

My Excellence Award Nominations

Erica is a beautiful person inside and out. She lives and breathes WeWork 24/7 – always the loudest, most genuine cheerleader for WeWork in Philly. Community Managers are responsible for taking ownership of their buildings, but Erica really OWNS it.

She truly embodies the sense of community, passion and light that makes WeWork special.

Working tireless hours, week after week, planning unique happy hours, dating workshops, rooftop parties, directing phone repair visitors, puppy lunch hours and more – Erica has poured her heart and soul into WeWork Walnut St and it shows.

She has blossomed so many connections in her building’s vibrant community and her unique ability to curate this is no doubt the #1 reason members stay and never leave Walnut St. Not to mention, it was the one and only WeWork Walnut St where Erica received a surprise PROPOSAL from her true love Jeff – a WeWork member!

The memories are endless. I know no one else more deserving than this award than Erica Chen.

“Erica is incredibly passionate about WeWork’s mission and capitalizes on every opportunity to share it with the world. Her building has one of the most thriving communities I have seen at WeWork and it is because of her commitment to being a connector among her members.

Outside of the office she exhibits the same qualities.

Every time she gets the chance to make a meaningful connection, she does so. She is selfless and cares deeply about others. When we were opening her building there were a ton of issues with the front door. She came in on many Saturdays to let members in, but she never complained. She explained that although it was annoying it was incredibly important to her that our members got the experienced they deserved.

Go Erica!”