Today we’d like to introduce you to Brit Erickson-Parran.
Brit, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My connection to Sophie’s Squad started a few years ago through my husband. He participated in Sophie’s Squad’s annual 30 in 30 Hockey Tournament, where players take part in 30 games in 30 days, with all proceeds supporting the organization’s mission. I went to cheer him on, and while I expected to enjoy watching the hockey, I ended up being incredibly inspired by the cause behind it.
The first time I learned about Sophie’s Squad and its commitment to mental health awareness, I immediately connected with the mission. After the tournament, I spent time researching the organization, learning more about the impact it was making in communities and the lives it was touching. The more I learned, the more passionate I became about finding a way to get involved.
Later that same year, my husband and several of his hockey teammates participated in Sophie’s Squad’s annual golf tournament. I joined them for the dinner afterward, and hearing more stories from supporters, volunteers, and families reinforced what I had felt from the very beginning – that this was an organization I wanted to be part of. That night, I signed up as a donor and remember thinking, “I have to be part of this organization and help spread the word.”
Shortly afterward, I began looking into opportunities to get involved more formally and discovered an opening on the Board. I interviewed for a programs-focused role and was ultimately brought on to partner with our VP, Matt Lee, helping support the operational systems that keep our organization running smoothly. My role focuses on ensuring our board members, volunteers, and teams have the tools, resources, and support they need to successfully carry out our mission.
In addition to that work, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate closely with our incredible marketing team. Together, we shared a vision of creating a podcast that would help us continue raising awareness around mental health, spark meaningful conversations, and remind people that “It’s okay to not be okay.” I’m honored to serve as the host of the podcast, and it’s been an exciting way to connect with our community and amplify the message of Sophie’s Squad.
What began as cheering on my husband at a hockey tournament has evolved into one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Being able to contribute to an organization whose mission I deeply believe in – and help expand its reach through operations, programs, and now our podcast – has been incredibly rewarding.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Overall, it’s actually been a fairly smooth road, and I think that’s largely because of the incredible people involved with Sophie’s Squad. Our board is made up entirely of passionate volunteers who deeply believe in our mission. Many of them have close personal connections to Sophie’s family and have been involved with the organization since the beginning, so there’s a genuine sense of purpose and commitment behind everything we do. When you’re surrounded by people who care that much, it makes collaboration and problem-solving much easier.
That said, like any nonprofit organization, we do face challenges. Our biggest challenge is continuing to secure the funding and resources needed to meet the growing demand for mental health awareness and support. Because our board is volunteer-based, the donations we receive go directly back into our programs, resources, events, and outreach efforts.
The reality is that mental health impacts so many individuals and families, and the need for education, resources, and open conversations continues to grow. We often find ourselves with more opportunities to make an impact than we have time or resources to pursue. That’s why fundraising events, donor support, partnerships, and community involvement are so important – they allow us to continue expanding our reach and spreading the message that no one has to struggle alone.
While securing resources is an ongoing challenge, it’s also what motivates us. Every new donor, volunteer, sponsor, listener, and advocate helps us reach more people and continue building a community where it’s okay to talk about mental health and where people know it’s okay to not be okay.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What I do at Sophie’s Squad is a combination of operations, program support, and storytelling. On the operational side, I partner closely with our VP, Matt Lee, to help build and maintain the systems that keep our organization running effectively. My focus is making sure our board members, volunteers, and teams have the support, resources, and processes they need so they can focus on advancing our mission.
At the same time, I work closely with our marketing team to help expand our reach and awareness. One of the projects I’m most excited about is our new podcast, where I have the privilege of serving as host. The goal is to create meaningful conversations around mental health, share stories that resonate with people, and continue spreading the message that it’s okay to not be okay.
What I would say I specialize in is connecting people and ideas. I enjoy bringing structure and organization behind the scenes while also helping tell the stories that inspire people to get involved. Whether it’s supporting our volunteers, improving processes, or sitting down to have authentic conversations on the podcast, I love finding ways to help our mission reach more people.
What I’m most proud of is helping turn passion into action. Like many people, I was first introduced to Sophie’s Squad through one of our events. I became so inspired by the mission that I wanted to find a way to contribute, and now I have the opportunity to help shape how we operate and how we share our message with the community. Seeing initiatives like the podcast come to life and knowing they have the potential to help even one person feel less alone is incredibly rewarding.
What sets me apart is that I bring both an operational mindset and a heart for storytelling. I enjoy building the systems that allow organizations to grow, but I also understand the importance of connecting emotionally with people. At Sophie’s Squad, those two things go hand in hand. Strong operations help us fulfill our mission, and meaningful stories help us inspire others to join us in that mission.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
If I had to choose one quality that’s been most important to my success, it would be my genuine passion for helping people and building meaningful connections.
Whether it’s in my professional life or through my work with Sophie’s Squad, I’ve found that when you truly believe in a mission and care about the people you’re serving, you’re willing to put in the extra effort, solve problems creatively, and stay committed even when challenges arise. That passion is what led me from attending a hockey tournament as a supporter to becoming a donor, board member, and podcast host.
I also believe that passion is most effective when it’s paired with reliability and a willingness to do whatever is needed to move a mission forward. I’m not afraid to work behind the scenes building processes and supporting teams, but I’m equally comfortable stepping into a public-facing role to help share our message and connect with others.
At the end of the day, I think people can tell when your commitment is authentic. For me, success has come from genuinely caring about the work, the people involved, and the impact we’re trying to make.
Pricing:
- Donations through 10k Strong for just $5/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sophiessquad.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiessquad6/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1767533556781522/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SophiesSquad6
