“God has prepared me for a time such as this.”
Introducing Dr. Kisha E. McCaskill, Executive Leader
Candidate for Cook County Commissioner of the 5th District
Spouse: Anthony L. McCaskill
Mother of four: Teej, Anthony, Aaron, and Amari
Grandmother of five.
Owner of three dogs: Cane Corso- Hefe; and two Frenchies- McLovin’ and Maverick.
Residency: 54-year resident of Cook County; 49-year resident of Harvey where she was born, raised, and currently resides.
Faith: 24-year member of the Community of Faith, COGIC (Pastor Gary T. Butcher)
Affiliations: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated; Democratic Women of the Southland Region; National Council of Negro Women; and Planned Parenthood.
Dr. Kisha McCaskill is a proud native of Harvey Illinois. She is well known for her impactful community advocacy. Dr. McCaskill is most notably, recognized for being a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion for those in her city, throughout the Southland, and Illinois.
Academic and Career:
Dr. McCaskill is a proponent for education. She holds 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 Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and Sociology from Western Illinois University with a Minor in African American Studies.
Dr. Kisha McCaskill holds certifications in Business Administration from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, Paralegal Studies from DePaul University and Conflict Resolution and Mediation from Northern Illinois University. Dr. McCaskill is also a Certified Illinois Assessment Officer-CIAO; recognized by Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR).
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; 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 Also 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. While serving as Executive Director of the Harvey Park District she has demonstrated her capacity as a reformer of fiscal management and service provision. Dr. McCaskill has also had the pleasure of providing innovative programming that directly impacts the social-emotional health of youth and seniors. Dr. McCaskill is admired for utilizing her talents platforms to highlight others and to assist anyone seeking to achieve their next level.
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.
Affiliations (included but not limited to):
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated; Democratic Women of the Southland Region; National Council of Negro Women; and Planned Parenthood.
Dr. Kisha E. McCaskill, is an active 34-year member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc., founding member and officer of the Democratic Women of the Southland Region, founding member and officer of the South Suburban Region Black Chamber of Commerce & Industry, member of Planned Parenthood, National Council of Negro Women, and member of the Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Award Cohort. Dr. McCaskill is an inductee of the Society of Mannequins where she slayed and seeks to complete her third official catwalk in March 2026. Dr. Kisha E. McCaskill was also honored in February 2025 with the Developing Our Youth Award of Distinction for Community and Political Leadership alongside the Honorable Congressman Danny K. Davis and Former State Representative- President of the Illinois Senate the Honorable Emil Jones, Sr.
As a Featured Editor for the South Suburban News her weekly column covering an array of topics entitled “Coffee and Conversation with Dr. Kisha E. McCaskill”, can be found in more than six SSN publications throughout the Southland, Chicago, and Kankakee area.