Experienced, Strategic, Research Driven
Personal Narrative
Receiving Board Invitations
Receiving Board Invitations
Kirk is frequently called upon to advise and assist businesses facing uncertain futures as a consultant. As a journalist, she knows how to ask the pressing questions. As a senior academic researcher, she argues that the “primary function of research is to reduce uncertainty in decision making” and shares that information in hopes that it helps organizations make better choices. She is now looking for an opportunity to apply these skills on behalf of a company as a fiduciary board member.
"Public arguments deserve the highest level of ethical practice and the stiffest critique."
The ability to forecast and assess risks, review crisis management and response, and align corporate resources with values is critical to any business’s long-term success. In an era when data risks are evolving as standard disclosures in SEC filings, businesses are constantly working to identify emergent issues and respond appropriately. Effective research can assess market opportunities and develop strategies to minimize the impact of aggressive competition. Research can empower ideas and aid in building coalitions with similar goal-oriented partners.
Kirk’s contacts in business circles provide a broad perspective on the issues of the day and key players in those environments. She frequently counsels domestic and international public and private sector organizations on strategic communication campaigns, market analysis, and stakeholder engagement. Kirk advises clients on a range of ethical issues ranging from impact investing to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to Ethics & Compliance issues. Business clients have included companies such as CNL Properties, Baylor Health Care Systems (now Baylor Scott & White), The Marketing Arm (a division of OmniCom), J.M. Huber, TU Electric, and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. She has served as public affairs counsel on projects for Edelman Public Relations, Bustin & Company, and Hill & Knowlton. She began her career as the primary strategist for numerous political campaigns ranging from local races to the U.S. Congress.
Kirk is a Peabody Award winning journalist. She served as an analyst for CNN during the last four Presidential elections, covering the primary and general election debates as well as both political party conventions. Her academic books include: Political Empiricism: Communications Strategies in State and Regional Elections, which won the “Best Book in Applied Communication” from the National Communication Association; Hate Speech, a book analyzing implications for hate discourse in public communication, with coeditor David Slayden, which was awarded the Outstanding Book on the subject of Human Rights in North America and the James Madison Prize for work on free speech; and the highly reviewed Solo Acts: The Death of Discourse in a Wired World.
Http://ritakirk.com 817-975-0686 ritakirk@mac.com A detailed CV and references are available on request.
Receiving Board Invitations
Receiving Board Invitations
Receiving Board Invitations
Dr. Kirk is available for service as a board director of a corporation, and paid advisory board position, or consulting based on her deep expertise in environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, as well as diversity and inclusion. Her background as an academic trained in journalism, research, ethics, and communication strategy, as well as her rich corporate and political consulting experience, can provide invaluable insights and processes to any large company’s governance oversight in these important and rapidly evolving areas.
Board Service
- Military Service Initiative Team, President George W. Bush Institute. Through research, policy development, programs, and presidential recognition, the Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative informs, influences, and unites communities, non-profit organizations, businesses, academia, and philanthropy. Together, we aim to maximize the health and well-being of post-9/11 veterans and military families, setting the conditions for a successful transition and their continued leadership as civilians.
- LOVEPACS: As of 2020, Lovepacs has served over 2.5 million meals in over 170 schools in 13 communities. With over 250 volunteers in 13 communities in 170 schools, this organization is determined to address the needs of children who need food during school breaks.
- Cary M Maguire Center for Ethics & Public Responsibility. Professional Advisory Board. Southern Methodist University. The board advises one of SMU's most prestigious endowed centers, which is tasked with engaging the public in ethical reflection, recognizing and honoring public virtue, and supporting SMU's strategic plan initiatives on ethics education.
Recent Podcast
- Seeing Well and Leading Well. The Whole Enchilada. When entrepreneurialism and academia collide, you end up with a conversation that gets to the heart of discourse in our culture. Mitch is joined by Rita Kirk in an interview that brings new perspectives to a world where communication is easy to access but hard to master.
Continuing Education
- Women on Boards. Harvard Business School.
- NACD seminars both online and in person.
Dr. Kirk looks forward to talking with senior management and board nominating committee members about applying her lifetime of knowledge to support achievement of their company objectives.
Corporate Clients
Receiving Board Invitations
Corporate Clients
Rita Kirk (Ph.D., University of Missouri) is a business and management consultant assisting clients with ESG issues as well as communication and marketing strategy. Currently, she is the William F. May Endowed Director of the Maguire Center for Ethics & Public Responsibility as well as an Altshuler Distinguished Professor in Corporate Communication & Public Affairs at Southern Methodist University.
Previous Consulting Clients Include:
- CNL Properties, Baylor Health Care Systems, The Marketing Arm (a division of OmniCom), J.M. Huber (listed in Top 200 Private Companies in the US), TU Electric (Texas' largest investor-owned utility), NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center, CMC Industries (contract manufacturing), AVEX Electronics, Electronic Data Systems, Gardere & Wynne PC, Tri-M Technologies, and many others for whom proprietary work was performed.
Assisted Organizations with areas of concern including:
- Crisis Management & Response
- Market Positioning
- Enhancing Relationship with Key Stakeholders
- Aligning Resources with Values
"The primary function of research is to reduce uncertainty in decision making."
Professor, Ethics & Compliance Certificate, Co-Sponsored by The Maguire Ethics Center, the Cox School fo Business, and the Dedman School of Law at SMU.
- This multi-disciplinary certificate program designed for compliance, legal and financial professionals will strengthen credentials and give an immediate edge while building knowledge for higher levels of responsibility.
- This program qualifies for Texas Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and Corporate Compliance Board CEU credit.