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Vikita Poindexter, Festival Ambassador

BIOGRAPHY
Vikita Poindexter, SPHR, CEO, Poindexter Consulting Group, Inc: Known throughout her 25-year career as the consummate professional and go-to person for Human Resources. Vikita Poindexter is an acknowledged as an expert in her field. Vikita’s extensive knowledge of HR includes but is not limited to: budget preparation, cost analysis, EEOC compliance, recruiting, Department of Labor and Standards, Department of Fair Housing, benefit administration, litigation prevention, personnel management, arbitration and contract negotiations for multimillion-dollar operations and so much more.

Prior to launching her own consulting business, Vikita was called upon to advise, troubleshoot and solve extremely complex HR issues in industries ranging from television and marketing firms to wireless, retail, hospitality, property management, real estate, construction, manufacturing, finance, automotive and apparel companies. She has saved her companies and clients millions of dollars in legal costs by structuring and implementing sound HR principles consistent with local, state and federal law. Vikita’s business acumen allows her to consult with key decision makers outside of what would traditionally be considered Human Resources.

Her poise, polish and comprehensive knowledge of HR has led several law firms to hire her as an expert witness. In addition, she is becoming a much sought after public speaker.

Vikita’s educational accomplishments are, in a word, outstanding. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Mount Saint Mary’s College in Los Angeles. Never leaving her faith behind, Vikita also has an Associates Degree in Biblical Studies from the International School of Ministry.

Her professional training includes certification, SPHR through the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), of which she has been a member since 1993. The American Business Institute named Vikita one of the 2000 Notable American Women.

In addition to her membership in SHRM, Vikita is a member of the National Association of Female Executives, Rotary International, National Organization of Women, National Association of African Americans in Human Resources, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, African American Chamber of Commerce, Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, Murrieta Chamber of Commerce, Black Recruiters Network Association, Black Chamber of Commerce, California Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Women Business Owners, National Association of Professional Women, Senior HR Roundtable, American Business Women’s Association and Professionals in Human Resource Association.

Vikita is currently the Volunteer Coordinator for Jacob’s House, Finance Committee Member for Jacobs House, Wishes for Children, Proud Ambassador for the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, Membership Committee Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, Special Events Committee Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, Festival Ambassador for the Temecula Gospel Music and Arts Festival, American Lung Association Healthy Air Walk Campaign, Chairperson for Go Red for Women Inland Empire Open you Heart and Circle of Red, Inland Empire Go Red for Women Executive Leadership Committee, 2009 Chairperson for Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce Monte Carlo Night, Development and Administration Chairperson for Student of the Month Program, Inc., American Red Cross Leadership Council, Founding CEO of the Inland Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, 2008 and 2009 Citizen of the Year Nominee for the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, 2008 and 2009 Sterling Business Nominee of the year for the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce, 2009 Professional Women’s Roundtable Joan Sparkman Unity Award Nominee, National Association of Women Business Owners Rising Star 2009 Nominee, American Business Institute 2,000 Notable American Women Recipient and 2009 Most Powerful Women in California Nominee and 2010 Nonprofit Excellence Award for Individuals for the Volunteer Center of Riverside County. Vikita is on the Board of Director’s for Oak Grove Center for Education Treatment; Board of Director’s for Jacob’s House and serves as Vice President of Community Affairs and Board of Director for Artist 4 Education. Vikita currently is a featured journalist for the Temecula Business Journal and is an instructor for Cal State San Marcos.

Vikita is the mother of two wonderful children. They make their home in Temecula, CA. But life is not without its challenges. Vikita’s youngest son Carey was born with severe food allergies and chronic asthma. He has been hospitalized no less than 26 times in his eleven short years and has undergone 4 major surgeries. Carey has since become the poster child of sorts for these illnesses. He has been featured in the San Diego Union Tribune Kids Day News, Temecula Valley News, Children’s Hospital Magazine’s Annual Report Edition and recently he has spoken to the Board of Directors for Children’s Hospital in San Diego, CA, SDG&E along with the American Lung Association, NBC Universal Television to educate on asthma and his favorite, sharing his testimony with fellow asthmatic Larry English of the San Diego Chargers on behalf of children with these disabilities.

Carey’s health challenges would have caused many parents to wilt under the pressure, but not Vikita. She was determined not to let her son’s health challenges take away from his quality of life. Vikita learned everything she could about Carey’s dual illnesses and has often times found herself advising Carey’s doctors on a course of action to treat his asthma and food allergies. Not only has she been able to give her “little man” the quality of life he so richly deserves, she will soon share her care and compassion for others suffering the same fate by opening the Breathe Easier Christian Pre-School as well completing her autobiography.