Erika Carey was named Chief Operating Officer of SouthLight in December 2021. Erika joined SouthLight in 2014 and has worked her way through the organization. She joined SouthLight as an Administrative Qualified Professional with the Community Services team, and since then has touched nearly every program working as an Assistant Director, Director and Senior Director.

Erika has over 20 years of behavioral health and substance use experience. She provided direct care in community-based and crisis services for much of her career. Erika is driven by a mission to truly love others, for them to know that they are not alone in their journey, and to be present with them in some of their most difficult and challenging times.

Erika holds a BS Degree in Family and Community Services and a MS in Rehabilitation Counseling and Vocational Evaluation from East Carolina University. She lives in Wake County with her husband, three boys, and two dogs. She enjoys spending time with her family, much of which is spent on a baseball field.