In this episode of Servant Leader’s Library, Nicholas Paulukow sits down with Erica Brandt to explore leadership, community, mentorship, marketing, and what it means to show up for others with consistency and care.
Erica is a community-minded marketer, volunteer, speaker, mentor, and lifelong learner with a passion for uplifting the people, businesses, and organizations that make Lancaster County such a meaningful place to live and work.
From her early interest in communications to her work in marketing, community outreach, professional development, and mentorship, Erica shares how servant leadership can be lived out through relationships, visibility, and a willingness to help others grow.
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A Career Built Around People and Communication
Nicholas Paulukow
For those who may not know you, tell us a little bit about your journey. What led you to where you are today?
Erica Brandt
I’ve always known I wanted to work in some form of marketing, communications, public relations, outreach, or brand building.
Even in high school, I remember doing a career research project and writing that I wanted to work in communications. Almost twenty years later, I am still in that industry and still excited about it.
After high school, I went to Penn State and majored in advertising and public relations. I had an incredible experience there. I worked several internships, including with the athletic department, a local radio station, and the Penn State Graduate School.
Looking back, I can see that so much of what I do now started during those early experiences. I was already doing community outreach, promoting local businesses, writing, building relationships, and getting out into the community.
I’ve been fortunate to have a wonderful marketing career. I’ve worked in nonprofits, digital marketing, healthcare, large corporations, and smaller teams. All of those experiences helped shape where I am today.
The Mentor Who Made an Impact
Nicholas Paulukow
You mentioned having a mentor at Penn State who is still part of your life today. What made that mentorship so meaningful?
Erica Brandt
My mentor at Penn State is Bob Martin. He is the Assistant Dean at the Penn State College of Communications, and he has had such a meaningful impact on so many students.
I first met him as a professor, and then through his role helping students find internships, careers, and alumni connections. He helped me navigate job opportunities, different geographic locations, career fairs, and the early stages of my professional path.
What has always stood out to me about Bob is that he always makes time.
He has answered every email I have ever sent, no matter how busy he is. He checks in, he responds, and he does that for every student.
That made my Penn State experience. It also shaped the way I think about mentorship.
As I’ve grown in my own career, I’ve always wanted to pay that forward. Now, when Bob connects me with students who want to work in marketing, I try to give advice, bring them to networking events, connect them with people, and help them take that next step.
Marketing as Community Presence
Nicholas Paulukow
We hear a lot about sales and marketing being combined. How do you define marketing?
Erica Brandt
To me, marketing is really about brand building.
Especially in Lancaster, I see marketing as community presence. It is about building your brand within the community and showing up.
When I think about the businesses and leaders I admire in Lancaster, there is one common thread: they support one another.
They attend events. They volunteer. They support nonprofits. They send their people out into the community. They show up for other businesses.
That is a big part of marketing.
Sales is more specific. It is about representing and selling your services. Marketing can support that, but marketing is also about showing what your organization values and how you are contributing to the greater community.
Serving Through Professional Development
Nicholas Paulukow
Was there a defining moment when serving others became part of your career?
Erica Brandt
I can really track that to the formation of the Central PA chapter of the American Marketing Association.
The chapter started roughly three years ago, and an incredible group of people came together to build it. It created a space for professionals in Central PA who were interested in professional development, mentorship, community building, and marketing for the good of the profession.
As I became involved, I started making more connections. A big part of the mission is to provide mentorship and professional development to people at any stage of their career.
I think that is especially needed right now.
A lot of younger professionals who are just starting their careers have not had the same in-person mentorship that many of us experienced. The AMA helps bridge that gap through networking events, job opportunities, and professional development.
I got involved, jumped into the chapter, and the rest is history.
What Servant Leadership Means
Nicholas Paulukow
What does servant leadership mean to you personally?
Erica Brandt
Servant leadership, to me, is about putting others and the good of the community above yourself, above a specific role, and above a title.
It is about lifting others up along the way.
I have seen that in so many people throughout my career. I’ve had fantastic coworkers, mentors, former employers, and community leaders who have modeled that.
In recent years especially, I have seen it through the leaders I’ve met in Lancaster, through the AMA, through nonprofits, through the Chamber, and through organizations that are dedicated to supporting businesses and people in the community.
There are too many great leaders to name, but I have taken pieces of what I have learned from them and built my own understanding of what it means to lead and mentor others.
Community Outreach as a Marketing Strategy
Nicholas Paulukow
From a marketing standpoint, why does community outreach matter?
Erica Brandt
Community outreach is an incredibly smart marketing strategy.
Digital marketing is fantastic. There is a lot you can do with digital, and there is a need for it. But in Lancaster, community outreach is key.
If you are building a brand locally, people need to see you. They need to understand who you are, what you care about, and how you are showing up for the area around you.
You can measure community outreach in several ways. You can look at client retention, track connections from events, record what you are attending or sponsoring, and see how those connections relate to your business.
You can also look at brand visibility. When you are out in the community, do people know your brand? If they know you, what do they know about you?
To me, a big part of community engagement is how your organization is represented. Do people see you giving back? Do they see you building up the place where you work, live, and spend your time?
For service-based businesses especially, that matters.
When people are buying a service, they are buying into your people, your trust, your relationships, and your care. Community presence helps show that your team is people-focused and invested in others.
Leadership Is Not Always About Title
Nicholas Paulukow
What is one leadership lesson you have learned along the way?
Erica Brandt
One thing I have taken away in my career is that leadership is not always about title.
Of course, titles matter. Organizations need presidents, CEOs, and people who are the face of the organization.
But I think other people often see you as a leader before you see yourself as one.
I have never had a CEO title, but people have come to me for advice, help, mentorship, and guidance. They have seen me as a leader even without that title.
That has taught me that leadership can be about influence, trust, and the way you show up for people.
Balancing Business Goals and People
Nick Paulukow
How do you balance achieving business objectives while still putting people first?
Erica Brandt
Clear business objectives are important. You need to know where you are going and what your goals are.
But people help drive those objectives.
If your goal is to increase website traffic or grow sales, you still have to think about the people behind those numbers.
Are you writing engaging copy? Are you going out into the community? Are you designing marketing and sales materials that answer the questions people are actually asking?
If you only focus on the business objective and forget the end user, you will miss the mark.
Good marketing balances both. It keeps the goal in mind while also thinking deeply about what people want, what they need, and how you can serve them.
What Today’s Leaders May Be Missing
Nick Paulukow
What qualities do you think are missing from today’s leaders?
Erica Brandt
The biggest thing I hear when I’m out and about is that people miss face-to-face interaction.
That is true for young professionals, people in hybrid roles, people in fully remote roles, and even people who have been in their careers for fifteen years or more.
A lot of younger professionals are saying they have never met their manager or have only met their manager once or twice. They do not really know their teammates.
And then I have peers who say they miss seeing coworkers and having that in-person connection.
I believe in work-life balance, and I think hybrid work can be great. But face-to-face relationship building is still very important.
When you do not have that, miscommunication can happen more easily. People can feel disconnected from their team, their boss, and their peers. They can become siloed.
In-person connection creates collaboration, energy, and clarity.
What Makes Lancaster Special
Nick Paulukow
What is something unique about Lancaster that outsiders may not fully appreciate?
Erica Brandt
The food, the culture, and the options.
Lancaster can be whatever you want it to be.
If you want to support downtown businesses and restaurants, you can. If you want to live in a more rural part of the county, you can. If you want to go to a farmers market every Saturday, you can.
There are so many options.
Friends of mine from places like D.C., New York, and New Jersey come to Lancaster and are always amazed by it. It is small enough that you can feel plugged in and know people, but it has enough options that it feels like a larger city.
You can go to fine dining downtown, walk to Central Market for coffee and baked goods, or support local businesses all over the county.
Lancaster is not just one thing, and I think that is what makes Lancaster special.
It is also small enough that businesses and leaders here can still make a real impact.
Saying Yes to Opportunity
Nick Paulukow
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Erica Brandt
Say yes to every opportunity.
You still have to sleep. You still have to make time for health and wellness. But I have tried to say yes throughout my career.
Any internship, professional role, volunteer opportunity, board, committee, speaking engagement, or event that felt aligned with something I was interested in, I tried to say yes.
Sometimes people are afraid to jump, and that is understandable. But some of the best opportunities in my career and life came when I took a leap.
If someone comes to you and says, “I see you as a fit for this,” say yes.
If someone asks you to serve on a board or committee, say yes.
If someone invites you to support their business or event, say yes.
Those opportunities create more opportunities. They create more connections, and they help you grow.
Be Visible and Stay Present
Nick Paulukow
What advice do you often give to others?
Erica Brandt
Be visible, and do not be afraid of face-to-face events.
As I mentor and talk with young professionals, I often tell them that if they are looking for a job, they need to be out and about.
That is especially true in a smaller community like Central PA. So much of it is about being part of the community and meeting people.
And once you get the job, do not disappear.
You may have to be more mindful of your time, and networking may look different depending on your stage of life. But stay present. Keep showing up. Keep being involved.
Consistency is really important.
Learning From Other Leaders
Nick Paulukow
Is there a book, podcast, or resource that has influenced you from a leadership perspective?
Erica Brandt
There are too many to name.
I love reading autobiographies. I think they are incredible because you can learn from the successes and mistakes of leaders across all different industries.
I also enjoy anything around entrepreneurship, female leadership, and financial wellness.
Financial wellness is something I think connects to career success more than people realize. If someone has medical debt, a large bill, or financial stress, that can affect how they show up at work.
I think it is an important part of building a strong foundation, having a good career, and being able to show up for other people.
A Few Fun Facts
Nick Paulukow
What might listeners be surprised to learn about you?
Erica Brandt
I love traveling, and I love live music.
I enjoy pretty much every type of music and have seen all kinds of musical acts. I am always open to recommendations for new artists to check out.
I also recently got into golf, and that has been a journey.
Lancaster Hidden Gems
Nick Paulukow
What is a hidden gem in Lancaster that you would tell people about?
Erica Brandt
There are so many.
I think the Rock Lititz area and what they are doing there is incredible. Per Diem is great. Downtown Lancaster has so many great restaurants, including places like Say La V, The Belvedere, Luca, and Lombardo’s.
One farmers market I love is Harvest Lane Market near Lititz. They carry a lot of local produce and Lancaster brands. You can find Fox Meadows ice cream, local breads, local produce, and even pick flowers.
Cherry Hill is another great one for produce.
And for wine drinkers, Vine Wine Bar on Prince Street is fantastic. They sell imported Italian wines, have thoughtfully curated selections, offer classes and dinners, and have built a really cool space in the city.
It is a great small business making an impact in the community.
Selflessness in Leadership
Nick Paulukow
What is one word that describes a great leader?
Erica Brandt
Selfless.
I have experienced that through mentors, coworkers, and people in different positions I have worked in.
Some of the mentors I talked about today made time for me, answered my emails, answered my questions, and helped me along the way.
When I was just getting started, I remember thinking, “I want to be that person one day.”
Now, when young professionals ask how they can thank me, I tell them to pay it forward.
Ten years from now, be that person for someone else.
What Erica Hopes People Remember
Nick Paulukow
What is one thing you hope people remember about you?
Erica Brandt
I hope people remember my desire to build community and positively impact the community.
I do a lot in Lancaster, but I also stay involved in Central PA. I have colleagues and friends with businesses in York, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, and other areas, and I try to support them too.
I want people to remember me as someone who made time.
If someone needed a volunteer for an event, help with a fundraiser, an introduction, or support for someone starting a marketing career, I want to be remembered as the person who showed up.
The Hardest Thing in Marketing
Nick Paulukow
What do you think is the hardest thing in marketing?
Erica Brandt
There are a few things.
Marketing is changing so quickly right now. The technology, digital platforms, and tools are constantly evolving, so staying on top of everything can be a challenge.
But I think ROI is one of the biggest things in marketing.
Anyone who has worked in marketing has probably been asked, “What is the ROI?”
Sometimes ROI is immediate. With digital ads, you can measure impressions, clicks, leads, and conversions.
But with brand building, events, billboards, sponsorships, and community outreach, the ROI may not be immediate.
That does not mean it is not valuable.
You never know who is watching. You may go to an event and feel like you did not get a lead that day. But someone may meet you ten times before they reach out.
That consistency matters. It builds trust over time.
The Power of Community
Nick Paulukow
If your life were a book in the Servant Leader’s Library, what would the title be?
Erica Brandt
The Power of Community.
That is really what my story comes back to.
Marketing, leadership, mentorship, volunteering, and community involvement all connect back to people. They connect back to showing up, making time, building relationships, and helping others grow.
Final Takeaway
Erica’s story is a reminder that servant leadership is not limited to a title, role, office, or boardroom.
It can show up in mentorship.
It can show up in community outreach.
It can show up in making an introduction, answering an email, supporting a local business, or helping someone take the next step in their career.
Through her work and presence in Lancaster and Central PA, Erica shows that leadership is often built through consistency, generosity, and a genuine desire to help others grow.
Servant leadership is not always loud.
Sometimes, it looks like showing up, making time, and choosing to build community wherever you are.
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