Erin Wood Miller is a communications representative at Caterpillar Inc., responsible for communications, change management and graphic design for several major areas including compensation and benefits, HR strategy, continuous improvement, human rights and joint IT/HR projects. She revamped the company’s Environmental Health & Safety Assurance Manual and led change management process efforts in the recent introduction of compensation plan design changes and new enterprise strategy, resulting in a suite of communications that has made complex topics easier to digest.
Prior to her work at Caterpillar, Miller received her bachelor’s degree from Bradley University, serving as editor-in-chief of the Bradley Scout student newspaper and working as a reporter for the Peoria Journal Star and Washington Times-Reporter. She earned her master’s degree in leadership and human service administration from Bradley in 2012, and worked at the university for four years in publications and speechwriting. She has also served as adjunct faculty at Bradley and Midstate College.
Miller has served on the Peoria Players Theatre Board of Directors since 2013 and is currently board president—the youngest in the organization’s history. Just in time for Peoria Players’ centennial season, she secured a donation to replace the theater’s 300+ seats when a survey of patrons revealed that as a top complaint. In addition, she managed a project to help guide the organization in pay, hiring and budgeting decisions; overhauled the theater's strategic plan and mission statement; and helped to nearly double its annual income.
A testament in part to her efforts, Peoria Players was honored with the 2018 Award of Excellence by the Illinois Theatre Association. In addition, Miller received the Peoria Players Theatre Golden Mask Service Award in 2017 and was previously the recipient of two “Normie” awards recognizing her volunteer efforts. At Caterpillar, she received a Law and Public Policy Key Contributor Award in 2017.
In her spare time, Miller has volunteered at EP!C, Crittenton Centers, Neighborhood House, Corn Stock Theatre, Eastlight Theatre and Central Illinois FRIENDS. Her devotion to work and volunteerism is second only to her two young children, Lily and Silas. iBi
