IMPACT
The varied and vibrant career of Ericka Riggs reveals a trajectory defined by creativity, leadership, and measurable impact across industries. As Executive Producer of experiential events—including AfroGames: Johannesburg, the AfroAnimation Awards, and Sundance Film Festival 2023 Premier Weekend for the critically acclaimed film, "To Live and Die and Live"—Ericka’s career is distinguished by her ability to lead innovative, purpose-driven initiatives that engage audiences and amplify business growth.
​
Beginning her career in the music industry at Uptown Records under mentor André Harrell, Ericka rose to Director of Video Promotion at Motown Records. She later sharpened her creative and strategic acumen at UniWorld Group before earning a marketing degree from George Mason University and driving equity-focused education programs at Northern Virginia Community College. She returned to New York to lead inclusion, community, and brand development strategies at The Advertising Club of New York.
​
Her award-winning programming—Icons, Rockstars & Innovators, Women NOW: Master Class, and Culture Club—demonstrates her talent for using inclusive strategies to cultivate talent and transform workplace culture. She also brings deep expertise in membership recruitment and retention, with a proven track record of designing and scaling programs that grow community, increase engagement, and drive business value across sectors.
​
As Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer at Omnicom Specialty Marketing Group, Ericka now leads with a growth mindset, integrating equity, storytelling, and stakeholder engagement to expand business impact, elevate internal leadership, and shape more inclusive client-facing work. Her approach to building and sustaining thriving member communities and developing internal talent pipelines has made her a catalyst for measurable, lasting change.
​
Ericka has been honored with the AD Club of New York's Rockstar and Presidential Awards, named a 2024 ICON Top 100 Leader, pocstock’s 2022 Top 50 Black Leader, and recipient of the 2020 Nancy Hill Award. She is a recognized thought leader across the industry, regularly featured on podcasts, panels, and platforms including AD Monster, The Female Quotient, Digiday, Mixed Company, ADWEEKNY, and SXSW.
​Omnicom Specialty Marketing Group
Nov 2020 – Present
Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer
New York, NY
Executive leader driving growth through innovative and inclusive strategies that elevate internal culture and external impact. Oversees cross-functional teams to build mission-aligned communities and integrated brand experiences that fuel business results. Partners with executive leadership and client-facing teams to embed equity into operations, campaigns, and talent strategies. Leads enterprise-wide initiatives that amplify visibility, scale community engagement, and increase value for clients and stakeholders. Cultivates partnerships with Fortune 500 brands, nonprofits, and media platforms to position inclusion as a competitive advantage.
Key Initiative:
Emerging Leaders Program
Issue: Lack of structured pathways to identify and advance underrepresented high-potential talent into leadership roles.
Solution: Developed and launched a tailored talent development program offering leadership training, executive coaching, and cross-agency networking.
Impact: Increased retention and promotion rates among high- potential employees; improved engagement and leadership readiness across OSMG agencies
Key Initiative:
Walk & Talk Together –
Global Wellness Activation
Issue: Sedentary workplace culture negatively impacting employee health and engagement.
Solution: Conceptualized and launched 'Walk & Talk Together'—a global wellness initiative promoting movement every 30 minutes, encouraging mindful breaks and charitable walking challenges.
Impact: Mobilized over 8,500+ employees globally; boosted wellness engagement and reinforced a culture of health and social responsibility through charity-aligned step competitions
Key Initiative:
Cultural Adoption:
Market Growth
Issue: Client engagement strategies lacked cultural relevance, leading to limited resonance with diverse consumer segments.
Solution: Developed and deployed an inclusive, culturally responsive training curriculum that equipped marketing and sales teams with tools to engage through a cultural intelligence lens.
Impact: Achieved a 28% increase in client renewal rates and a 35% boost in market penetration within underserved segments over one fiscal year
​
​
The Advertising Club of New York
Sep 2016 – Nov 2020
Executive Director Foundation
Directed all branding, communication, and community engagement for the Advertising Club of NY Foundation, enhancing its visibility and industry standing through award-winning programs and storytelling. Developed integrated strategies to elevate the Foundation's voice, launched multi-channel campaigns, and acted as the public face and media spokesperson. Forged partnerships with top advertising and media brands to fund and spotlight DEI-centered initiatives. Curated thought leadership events and campaigns, reinforcing ACNY as a beacon of innovation and impact.
Key Initiative:
Icons, Rockstars, & Innovators
Issue: Outstanding professionals from historically excluded groups often go unrecognized or marginalized within the advertising industry.
Solution: Launched a recognition platform celebrating exemplary Black, Asian, and Hispanic talent across 'Icon,' 'Rock Star,' and 'Innovator' categories, with digital storytelling and a high-profile awards ceremony.
Impact: Elevated visibility and recognition for over 100+ diverse industry professionals; strengthened industry reputation for inclusion and inspired broader recognition practices across agencies.
Key Initiative:
Women's Fellowship Program
​
Issue: Low retention of diverse talent and lack of leadership advancement for women and BIPOC professionals in advertising.
Solution: Launched Fellowship program with high-touch mentorship from C-suite leaders, executive coaching, partnership with PwC, and access to industry-defining conferences (ADCOLOR, SXSW, 3% Conference, Advertising Week).
Impact: Significant increase in retention, visibility, and promotion—alumni now hold roles as SVPs, Partners, Global Execs, and Founders across the industry.
Key Initiative:
Culture Club
Issue: Lack of consistent platforms within the industry to celebrate the creative passions and cultural expression of diverse professionals.
Solution: Launched 'The Culture Club'—a quarterly event series highlighting hidden talents of community members including musicians, poets, filmmakers, and artists.
Impact: Created an inclusive space for cultural celebration and connection; spotlighted emerging talents like Alicia Ray and Olu Bliss, fostering a deeper sense of belonging and visibility across the community.
EDUCATION
George Mason University
B.S. Marketing
Class of 2011
​
Attended
Howard University