Nicci Roach
Award-winning diversity, inclusion and equity practitioner. Catalyst for leadership capacity. Advocate for women’s empowerment and equality. Entrepreneur and co-founder. Author and educator. Radio and podcast host. Nicci Roach is diversifying rooms with equipped leaders through interactive lectures, consulting and as an on-air radio host on KSTL Jubilee 690 AM.
Nicci possess more than 15 years in higher education leadership with her latest role as Webster University’s inaugural Associate Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion and Senior Director for Community Engagement. She led efforts to conceptualize, assess, and cultivate sustainable efforts of equity and community (domestic and international). As an adjunct faculty of Management and Organizational Development, Roach is credited with developing sophisticated curriculum and student engagement strategies.
Her recognizable voice in the community is also due to penning motivating works in the form of articles and books. Her offerings, Stop Counting and Start Courting: The Role of a Chief Diversity Officer (American Council on Education - Higher Education Today) and From Place to Position (Women on the RISE) have caused her to be a sought-out speaker, advisor and leader-in-residence.
Nicci is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Mosaic Ceiling, a Midwest based non-profit with a mission to ‘empower women one ceiling at a time’. Through novel programming, individuals and groups are educated and equipped with strategies to help advance personal and professional achievements while breaking down barriers.
Her investment and commitment to develop individuals and groups led to a 2012 gubernatorial appointment to the Missouri Community Service Commission. She is active with several professional organizations including but not limited to: Regional Business Council Young Professionals Network; United Way’s Women’s Leadership Cabinet and Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society; National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE); and Opera Theatre of St. Louis Engagement and Inclusion Task Force.
Nicci had the honor of touring with the inspirational theatrical play, Lord Knows I’ve Tried, holding down the lead role (MKC Productions). For seven years she was the lead producer and on-air talent for a popular community affairs radio show that aired on ClearChannel Communications (now iHeart Media). Nicci was the host for Music Central Videos, Gospel Xpressions and the Suite Soul Spot Concert Series, all featured in St. Louis, MO. She was selected as the host for Reel Entertainment, a Charter Communications Public Access Entertainment Show.
Nicci holds a Master of Arts in Public Relations; Master of Arts in Human Resources; and a Bachelor of Arts in Media Communications with a minor in Women’s Studies from Webster University; Diversity Management certificate from Cornell University; and a certificate of participation in the Women in Educational Leadership from Harvard University. She is currently completing coursework towards a doctorate degree in higher education leadership.
Awards & Recognitions:
2017 YWCA Leader (Lunch 37)
2017 Black Women Network MO/IL Legacy of Excellence Award –
Woman of the Year in Diversity
2017 Monsanto YMCA Martin Luther King, Jr. Dignity Award
2015 DELUX Magazine's inaugural Power 100
2012 St. Louis Business Journal Diverse Business Leader
2012 Inaugural Webster Global Leadership Academy Fellow
2011 DELUX Magazine St. Louis’ Women Power Player
2011 National Sales Network (NSN) Black Business Woman Who Rock
2011 Gateway Classic African American Citizen of the Year
2009 YWCA Leader (Lunch 29)
