In recognition of Black Business Month, Dr. Alisha, remote work pioneer and owner of Hera Hub Temecula, discusses the impact of representation.
In this interview, she shares her experience as an African American woman running a successful business, and its positive influence on other aspiring business owners who also come from marginalized communities.
Dr. Alisha Wilkins is an organizational psychologist, who has conducted extensive research on the challenges individuals experience developing psychological connections with each other when communicating using technology.
She has over 17 years of public affairs and government relations experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sector. She served as owner and political consultant for the Empire Consulting Group, a government relations firm which offered campaign strategies and messaging to candidates running for public office; as well as, public relations consulting to businesses and organizations on public outreach and engagement with key decision makers.
Prior to her work with the Empire Consulting Group, Dr. Wilkins led the public affairs department for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest in Riverside County for ten years. Notably, no public affairs department existed in Riverside County at the time she was selected for this leadership position. Therefore, her main task would include building a community presence and establishing the agencies first public affairs department in Riverside County. Through her diligent and persistent efforts, she formed strategic partnerships with elected officials, key opinion leaders, grassroots organizations, and individuals throughout the entire county.
Dr. Wilkins was appointed by the Governor of the State of California to the Commission on the Status of Women & Girls in 2014. She currently serves as the Chair of the Commission. Her work as a Commissioner has focused on advocating for women’s pay equity and engaging girls in STEM. She also serves on the board of the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. and Board member for the Inland Empire’s Chapter of Run Women Run. She is a graduate of the Riverside Chamber of Commerce – Leadership Riverside Program and California Emerge.
Dr. Wilkins has an amazing ability to build and connect individuals and communities, and a deep level of knowledge for the unique working environments of virtual workers, coupled with a profound dedication to women issues, like pay equity and girls in STEM.
