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Erin Whelan is the Executive Director at SMYAL, where advocacy for LGBTQ youth is a primary focus. With extensive experience in social services, Erin served as Senior Division Director and Director of Emergency Shelter at LifeWorks from September 2013 to September 2022, overseeing housing and homeless services. Prior roles include Therapist/Supervisor at Settlement Home, Youth Development Staff and Milieu Manager at Teen Living Programs, and Project Manager in the Behavioral Medicine section at Northwestern University. Erin began in the field as an intern at Teen Living Programs while completing a graduate degree. Educational credentials include a Master’s in Counseling from Argosy University Chicago and a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from Texas Woman's University.