As our CEO, she is a transformational leader of a sophisticated, savvy team that produces high-level, integrated communications campaigns that advance clients’ objectives. Oliva’s ability to bring together some of the smartest and most talented people for one common goal is evident in the company’s products and growth.
Oliva, a straight-shooter, and a hands-on communications strategist, who has over 15 years of experience in reputational risk and crisis management and assessment, strategic counseling, issue analysis, and media relations, has made social accountability the main driving force in the strategic objectives of Sykes Global and its work.
Since founding the full-service crisis, public & community relations firm in 2007, Oliva has created and implemented a vast number of integrated communications programs. She has provided expert advice and delivered strong results for corporate, not-for-profits, and high-profile individuals and has been a trusted partner of candidates for public office. Her long roster of clients has included: New York Amsterdam News Annual Labor Awards Breakfast, 1199/SEIU; Transport Workers Union (TWU); District Council 37 (DC37); National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); Community Voices Heard (CVH); Miss New York: Meaghan Jarensky-Barakett; Congressman Charles Rangel; Congresswoman Yvette Clarke; New York State Senator Leroy Comrie, New York State Senator Kevin Parker; and Mount Vernon Comptroller Maureen Walker to name just a few.
Since founding the full-service crisis, public & community relations firm in 2007, Oliva has created and implemented a vast number of integrated communications programs. She has provided expert advice and delivered strong results for corporate, not-for-profits, and high-profile individuals and has been a trusted partner of candidates for public office. Her long roster of clients has included: W.E.B. Du Bois Museum Expansion, in Accra Ghana, 1199/SEIU; Transport Workers Union (TWU); District Council 37 (DC37); National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); New York Amsterdam News Annual Labor Awards Breakfast, ; Community Voices Heard (CVH); Miss New York: Meaghan Jarensky-Barakett; Congressman Charles Rangel; Congresswoman Yvette Clarke; New York State Senator Leroy Comrie, New York State Senator Kevin Parker; and Mount Vernon Comptroller Maureen Walker to name just a few.
In 2012, 21-term Congressman Charles Rangel retained Oliva as his spokesperson when he was facing the toughest re-election campaign of his career. Her communications work was integral in guiding the campaign to a re-election victory. Oliva has also held several senior level positions in government, which include her service as Communications Director to Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. Oliva made New York City history by becoming the first African-American woman to be appointed Press Secretary for the Office of the Bronx Borough President under Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, who later named her Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Strategic Operations. Following her tenure with Borough President Carrión, Oliva worked for 32BJ as a Communications Manager.
Oliva has a solid reputation as the lifeline between key political thought leaders, stakeholders and the media. Illustrating this deep bond, in 2011 she was the lead media affairs point person for the launch event of NAACP’s Voter Suppression Campaign, an aggressive nationwide grassroots effort to prevent unfair changes in state election laws that would disenfranchise millions of Americans. The initiative culminated in a protest of thousands in front of the United Nations on Human Rights Day.
Prior to founding Sykes Global, Oliva worked extensively in media. Since the age of 19, she worked as a writer, TV and radio reporter, and producer for several major print, television and radio media outlets. In this capacity, she interviewed entrepreneur, philanthropist, and environmentalist Ted Turner, Record producer, musician, songwriter, composer, arranger, and film and television producer, Quincy Jones, Businesswoman and entrepreneur, Lucille Roberts, Mayor David Dinkins, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters among others. A radio show in conjunction with artist Wyclef Jean produced by Ronnie, which raised funds for hurricane victims, was memorialized in the Museum of TV and Radio.
Oliva was an adjunct professor at City University, where she taught a course in strategic communications and public relations. She has also guest lectured at City University (CUNY) and the New School. Oliva studied at New York University and is a graduate of Brooklyn College. In January of 2022, Ronnie Oliva was named to City & State New York’s Political PR Power 50, recognizing her as one of the most powerful New Yorkers in Public Relations and was selected as one of AM New York’s Power Riser 2022.