Nathaniel Erb

State Policy Director

Nathaniel Erb is the State Policy Director at For The People, where he leads work to establish pathways for resentencing across the U.S., bring data-driven expertise to policymakers, and support those leading change in their communities. Nathaniel came to For The People from the Innocence Project where he led legislative campaigns across the US and pioneered public policy advancements in interrogation reform, surveillance technology, genetic genealogy, and forensic lab reform—while working with a cross-section of impacted people, stakeholders in and out of the justice system, and community leaders.

Nathaniel believes strongly in supporting the leadership and ownership of local and impacted communities in public policy reform. Prior to the Innocence Project, Nathaniel ran a private lobbying & consulting practice where he advised countries, local governments, and NGOs on public policy related to human trafficking, forced labor, environmental destruction, and money laundering. In this work, Nathaniel provided pro-bono representation to organizations run by survivors and impacted communities otherwise locked out of the political process. At the Innocence Project, he worked heavily to center the leadership of exonerees, local leaders, and organizations working on partner issues.

Nathaniel also brings experience in international affairs. In addition to advising on several multinational initiatives, he is also the Chair Emeritus of the Youth Working Group of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO, where he championed youth social entrepreneurship, as well as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shaper community. Nathaniel was awarded a Citation from the State Senate of New York in 2014 for his work supporting UNESCO and the Human Trafficking Award from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland in 2018 for his work on human trafficking policy.

Nathaniel currently lives in Brooklyn, NY where he enjoys lazy park days with his adopted beagle mix, going on cross-country backpacking & cycling adventures, sharing his professional whiskey-tasting skills with friends and family, splurging on Broadway, Comic Con, and eating out too much.