Rikeesha Phelon

Phelon is a speaker, trainer and coach who guides leaders through external and internal communications and organizational challenges.

Prior to leading in academic medicine, Phelon has worked as a media director in Chicago,a spokesperson and senior communications advisor for state agencies. She later became the press secretary to the Illinois Senate President.

Since that time, she has distinguished herself as a trusted adviser to some of Illinois ' most notable elected officials working to advance advancing solutions to critical public issues.

After leaving state government, she established Phelon Public Strategies to coach public leaders and organizations on executive communications and public engagement strategies. This work continued when she also joined Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, where she is the Associate Provost of Strategy.

In addition to advising executive leaders at SIU, Phelon continues to coach community leaders on how to execute communications strategies that create more just and healthy communities.

Phelon completed has a bachelors in Political Studies and a Masters of Arts in Communications, both from the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Phelon's busy family life includes working with her husband (Michael Phelon) founder of The Outlet, as they raise their two children (Kingston and Mary) in Springfield, Illinois.