Lakisha Hooks
Rolesville
Summary
Innovative community connector with expertise spanning outreach, HR, and financial services. Known for building strong networks, leading teams, and driving initiatives that expand access and strengthen engagement. Backed by a Marketing degree and a passion for collaboration, communication, and creating lasting impact.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Outreach Specialist
Speech Inspirations
06.2023 - Current
- Planned and coordinated outreach events for speech and occupational screenings, executing 8–12 events annually and connecting with 150–200 children and families each year.
- Supported corporate initiatives that contributed to patient growth, helping to achieve a 10% increase in referrals that directly supported revenue expansion.
- Built and maintained relationships with 15–20 local organizations, daycares, ABA centers, and schools, improving community visibility and trust.
- Advised senior management on community engagement strategies, providing insights that expanded access to services in new neighborhoods and improved referral flow by 15–20%.
Sales & Marketing Consultant-PT
Cute Buttons
01.2009 - 08.2023
- Organized promotional events including local trade shows, trunk shows, and in-store pop-ups, coordinating 5–7 events annually that drove a 10–15% increase in seasonal sales.
- Created customized client presentations and curated product assortments for weddings, corporate events, and personal stationery, contributing to 40+ client accounts per year.
- Provided sales channel recommendations that helped the boutique transition from a full brick-and-mortar to a scaled-down rented space, reducing overhead costs by 25% while maintaining loyal customer relationships.
- Managed vendor relationships with 15+ stationery and gift suppliers, negotiating pricing and timelines that reduced project costs by an average of 10% and ensured on-time product delivery.
Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
Buhler
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Managed the end-to-end recruiting process for production operator roles, supporting 8–10 active requisitions at a time to meet urgent staffing needs.
- Partnered with line managers in the Warehouse and Engineering divisions to understand hiring requirements, reducing time-to-fill by 20% during the contract period.
- Conducted structured interviews with 25+ candidates to assess skills, experience, and cultural fit, providing hiring managers with informed recommendations.
- Reviewed resumes and performed reference checks to verify candidate qualifications, helping ensure compliance with company hiring standards and improving candidate quality.
Talent Acquisition Coordinator
Alcami
2022 - 01.2022
- Conducted initial evaluations and screenings of potential hires, assisting in reviewing 15–20 applicants per week and supporting hiring managers in identifying qualified candidates.
- Coordinated interviews for multiple departments, scheduling and managing logistics for 10–12 candidate interviews weekly, ensuring a smooth process for both managers and applicants.
- Provided administrative support in maintaining employee records, updating applicant tracking systems with 100+ candidate profiles during the contract period to ensure accurate reporting and compliance.
- Collaborated with the HR team during a period of staff shortage, helping reduce time-to-hire and easing workload pressures across the department.
Human Resource Technician-Contract
City of Durham
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Handled Tier 1 HR inquiries, fielding an average of 20–30 calls and emails per day on benefits, policies, procedures, and workplace practices, ensuring 95% same-day resolution.
- Determined FMLA eligibility and processed leave requests, overseeing 100+ leave cases annually including FMLA, disability, and COVID-19 related absences, while maintaining compliance with federal and state laws.
- Conducted new hire orientation sessions, onboarding 10–15 employees per month and ensuring all staff received clear guidance on policies, benefits, and procedures.
- Supported COVID-19 response efforts, assisting employees with leave, accommodations, and return-to-work protocols, contributing to a safe and compliant workplace.
- Managed day-to-day HR operations, resolving employee questions on benefits eligibility, payroll, and workplace policies, achieving a 90% employee satisfaction rate from post-interaction surveys.
Financial Center Manager
M&F Bank
2017 - 2020
- Managed activities at a mid-level volume financial center including operations, sales, and customer service, overseeing approximately $50M in total assets and $42M in deposits, while leading a team of 6–8 employees.
- Developed and implemented strategies that increased financial center profitability by 6–8% year-over-year, consistently meeting or exceeding branch-level revenue targets.
- Directed daily operations, including staffing schedules, customer service, and sales activities, handling an average of 80–120 customer transactions daily and generating $300K+ in new business annually.
- Ensured compliance with all banking laws and policies, maintaining a 100% audit pass rate with zero major compliance issues.
- Provided guidance and leadership to staff, reducing turnover by 10% and improving team productivity and customer satisfaction scores.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
Virginia State University
Skills
- Policy and Procedures
- Recruitment Strategies
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Training
- Customer Engagement
- Advising/ Mentoring
- Customer Relationship Management
- Project Implementation
- Project Management
- Research
- Community engagement
- Resource mobilization
- Partnership development
Office Skills
Microsoft Office, Peopleclick (ATS), Brassring (ATS), People Soft (ATS), Taleo (ATS), Paycom, LBE Sales/ Loan Force and Unifi, Candidate E-Forms, Construction Partner, Fiserv
Timeline
Community Outreach Specialist
Speech Inspirations
06.2023 - Current
Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
Buhler
01.2022 - 01.2023
Human Resource Technician-Contract
City of Durham
01.2021 - 01.2022
Sales & Marketing Consultant-PT
Cute Buttons
01.2009 - 08.2023
Talent Acquisition Coordinator
Alcami
2022 - 01.2022
Financial Center Manager
M&F Bank
2017 - 2020
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
Virginia State University
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