Malika Reed Wilkins – Chief External Affairs Officer

Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins is the Chief External Affairs Officer for the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). She heads the agency’s strategy development, corporate and community engagement, governmental affairs, board engagement, and communications. She also spearheaded the agency’s diversity, equity and inclusion program. Wilkins has more than 25 years in public policy and administration, operational leadership, strategic organizational communications and building long-standing partnerships in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

Prior to onboarding with ARC, she served the State of Georgia in various executive-level roles with the State Road and Tollway Authority, Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, Georgia Commute Options and the Georgia Department of Human Services. In addition, she served as Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Southern States Police Benevolent Association and worked as a consultant for several advertising agencies. Dr. Wilkins is known for her strategic relationship development and consensus building across multiple disciplines.

She is currently the Membership Chair for the Buckhead Rotary Club, and a Commission member for the Georgia Driver’s Education Commission. Wilkins is also a member of COMTO Atlanta, ULI Atlanta, Public Relations Society of America and Past President of WTS Atlanta.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communications from the University of Georgia. A Master of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University.

Malika resides in the City of Atlanta with her husband Anthony and daughter Malia.