personally, professionally, and academically. Her achievements have catapulted her to being a formidable mentor, advocate, activist, and a force in executive leadership. While she has been adorned with many awards and accolades, her greatest trophies are her relatability and passion for people.
Dr. McCaskill is known for delivering big results for organizations and individuals despite their challenges. She believes “comfort is found in the uncomfortable “and with this mantra she has successfully mentored youth into professionals, professionals into executives and business owners, and ordinary citizens into effective leaders.
Prior to becoming an independent consultant Dr. McCaskill was blazing the trails in government/public leadership. You may not know her directly, but you know her impactful work. Dr. McCaskill’s footprint is embroidered at the inception of some of Illinois’ greatest resources including: IDCFS’ Statewide Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS), IDES’ Illinois’ Job Link (IJL), and Illinois’ Public-Act 098-0774 known as “Ban the Box”.
Throughout her career in government Dr. McCaskill was often tasked with the heavy lifting of service implementation, oversight of multi-million-dollar budgets, and special projects. In her current role as Executive Director of the Harvey Park District she continues to perform programming and fiscal management but also has the pleasure of providing innovative programming to directly promote the social emotional health of youth and seniors. McCaskill also utilizes her role to empower those seeking to start and/or expand recreation and educational programs. Give her your idea and she will give you the strategy to achieve it.
Dr. McCaskill challenges everyone she encounters to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters most with the intent, to improve the quality of life for everyone.
Dr. Kisha E. McCaskill is a 52-year resident of Cook County; 47-year resident of Harvey where she was born, raised, and currently resides. She is an exemplary community advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in her city, throughout the Southland and Illinois.
Dr. McCaskill is an advocate for education. She holds Dual-Doctorate Degrees in Public Service Administration and Organizational Leadership from Capella University, a Master’s Degree in Human Service Administration specializing in Public Policy from Spertus Jewish Institute, and Dual Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Western Illinois University.
She holds certifications in Business Administration from the University of Illinois-Champaign, Conflict Resolution and Mediation from Northern Illinois University, and Paralegal Studies from DePaul University. Dr. McCaskill is also a Certified Illinois Assessment Officer-CIAO.
As an Executive Consultant, Public Speaker, Editor, and Motivator Dr. McCaskill is a woman on the move. She is consistently recognized in the top tier of outstanding individuals;
Key Initiatives
Economic mobility begins with investment in our local businesses, workforce, and infrastructure. I champion policies that support small businesses, attract sustainable industries, and create career pathways through apprenticeships and empowering entrepreneurship. From expanding access to capital for minority-owned businesses to advocating for workforce development programs, I am on a mission to close the wealth gaps and ensure that every resident has a fair shot at prosperity.
Where you live should never determine how long or how well you live. I am working to eliminate health disparities through partnerships with community health organizations, expanding access to preventive care, prenatal and postpartum care, and supporting behavioral health services. By aligning county resources with trusted providers, we are bringing increased care to the communities that need it most—because health is a human right, not a privilege.
We cannot build safer communities without addressing the root causes of violence and systemic injustice. I advocate for a restorative justice approach focusing on healing, accountability, and grassroots solutions, such as supporting re-entry programs, mental health interventions, and violence prevention strategies that uplift, not punish. I aim to reimagine public safety equitably, transparently, and rooted in dignity for all.