Keisha Ricks

Keisha Ricks is an experienced communications, marketing and public relations professional, with more than 15 years' in the healthcare industry. As the former senior manager of organizational communications for the American Diabetes Association (ADA) located in Arlington, Virginia, she was responsible for executive communications, driving employee engagement, internal and external communications, media relations and marketing initiatives across all United States offices that comprise the ADA.

Ricks extensive background as a communications and health professional began while serving in the Maryland Hospital System on strategic health campaigns driven towards patients, physicians, employees and the overall healthcare community. She has successfully developed and implemented public relations and media plans on projects such as the Every Diabetic Counts Program for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services federally contracted quality improvement and disparities initiative for the state of Maryland and the District of Columbia. Keisha grabbed the attention of morning show producers by developing live television segments to address and demonstrate healthy holiday cooking options for those living with diabetes.

As the owner of Keisha Monique Public Relations, she has consulted for leading companies to create strategies for achieving efficient healthcare operations utilizing communications, event planning, program management and marketing. Having the ability to successfully create and pitch compelling healthcare campaigns, she landed media coverage in outlets such as Good Morning Maryland, local print, television and radio sources. Developing strategic relationships, her background also includes working in the media and entertainment industry for external outlets such as BET Television, Power 104.7 Radio and Social Influencers.

In addition to her extensive PR, story-telling and marketing experience, Keisha is an experienced graphic designer who was responsible for overseeing internal and external print, digital, and collateral materials for a wide range of clients.

A graduate of the University of Baltimore in Maryland, she holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in health care policy and administration and a Bachelor of Science in corporate communications. She also received an associate degree from Catonsville Community College in Baltimore, Maryland. She has a certificate for Activity and Program Directing in skilled nursing facilities from the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP).

Keisha currently serves as National Executive Committee Board Member for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). She is an active member of PRSA’s Maryland Chapter, Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society, and a proud Poodle of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated.

In her spare time, Keisha enjoys listening to music, singing, spending time with her family, mentoring entertainment and public relations professionals, traveling and serving the community through charity and advocacy work.