Shakisha Ross grew up in the Tacoma area. Shakisha and her husband Dean of 27 years raised their three children in Pierce County. Their oldest son Dean Jr. is married and serving in the United States Air Force, their middle daughter Tarisa, is a graduate of Howard University and is currently pursuing a PHD in Science at Virginia Tech and their youngest daughter Alexis received an Art Degree and is working at a renowned Art Gallery in Beverly Hills, California.
Shakisha restarted her career after being a stay-at-home mom with Horizon Air. There she learned her customer service skills, how to think quickly on her feet and her creative problem-solving skills. Shakisha took many adventures with her young family with some of their favorite states to visit being Texas to visit family and tropical vacations in Hawaii.
After quitting Horizon Air, Shakisha went back to school. She finished her Associate of Arts at Pierce College and her Bachelor of Arts at Seattle Pacific University, pursuing two degrees: Interior design and Political Science. Upon graduation, Shakisha worked with a first-time candidate in the 2012 election. The candidate didn’t win, but she learned how to steer volunteers and work within the community. After this election she began to work for Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) in many capacities as an Administrator, Grants Coordinator, Event Planner, Casework Manager and Field Representative. After leaving Rep Smith’s office, Shakisha was hired at the City of Tacoma. Her focus was on youth and apprenticeship workforce development programs, such as Summer Jobs 253 (SJ253) and other certificated programs that would benefit the youth of Tacoma Public Schools. Shakisha also worked to advance goals relating to equity in contracting and access in contracting to support minority and women-owned businesses in the City of Tacoma. She has worked with many community partners and nonprofits in the workforce development and contracting spaces in the City of Tacoma.
Shakisha currently works for Puget Sound Energy as their Sr. Community Representative for Pierce County. She manages a wide range of community issues including energy, land use, environment, equity, diversity and inclusion. Shakisha also builds relationships and coalitions to help move meaningful community initiatives forward.
Why did you join CDR’s Board?
I know the important work that the Center for Dialog & Resolution does for the community. I learned of the Center while working for Congressman Adam Smith. During the 2008 housing crisis, CDR was instrumental in keeping people in their homes. I saw first hand the commitment that this organization had for the community then and now. I am proud member of Pierce County and it is an honor to serve our community in various ways.