Looking at the varied and vibrant career of Ericka Riggs, diversity executive, podcast regular, frequent industry panelist and 2020 Nancy Hill Award winner, a pattern quickly emerges. This creative, strategic Chief DE&I Officer of Omnicom Specialty Marketing Group has been about not just advancement, but also enhancement.
Working in video promotions at Uptown Records and legendary MOTOWN, Ericka strengthened the people skills she developed as the daughter of a corporate executive whose career moved the family from Texas and Missouri to Maryland, New York and the D.C. area.
Parlaying creative experience, exposure to myriad communities and cultures and natural empathy, Ericka segued to multicultural ad agency UniWorld Group, (UWG), rising from Creative Coordinator to producer before leaving to augment her portfolio with a marketing degree from George Mason University and a position in development at Northern Virginia University.
In 2016, Ericka Riggs made an impressive return to New York as Foundation and Inclusion Director of The Advertising Club of New York. Under her guidance, the game-changing I’mPART Women’s Fellowship elevated the careers of BIPOC women managers into leadership roles. Her engagement initiatives, “Icons, Rockstars & Innovators,” “Women NOW: Master Class,” and “Culture Club” have been integral in helping to create a more inclusive advertising, marketing and media community.
Board member, SheSays NYC; DEI task force #WeAllRise; Mentor, Circle of Change; 2020 MOBE Symposium Advisory Committee member.
Ericka has become a regular guest of industry podcasts, contributor to trade publications and panelist at notable events, (ie. Digiday, Mixed Company, ADWEEKNY, SXSW).
Riggs attended Howard University and is a graduate of George Mason University’s School of Management.