Women’s History Month Spotlight on TZG’s Kisha Hicks
The Zita Group wouldn’t be what it is today without Executive Assistant Kisha Hicks. She’s been with TZG since day one, and if there’s one thing to know about her, it’s that she’s the person you want in your corner. She gets things done, keeps everything running smoothly, and yes—if it ever came down to it—she could even walk you through changing a flat tire over the phone.
Our journey with Kisha started in 2001 at Capital Public Affairs, where she joined as a temp. At the time, she didn’t have experience with emails, scheduling, or the world of lobbying—but she knew she wanted the job. Five months in, she gathered the courage to ask for a full-time position. That moment of self-advocacy set everything in motion. She went from clipping newspaper articles and making copies to becoming the go-to person for everything and everyone. When Trish Zita and Adam Kaufman left to start The Kaufman Zita Group in 2007, Hicks was right there with them.
“In 2007, that’s when my confidence really kicked in. I learned to embrace change and tackle whatever challenges came my way,” she recalls. “I built my confidence by talking to myself and writing things down. If you see my desk right now, there are Post-it notes everywhere!” Over time, she also realized that asking for help wasn’t a weakness—it was part of growth. “At first, I thought I could do it all on my own, but I learned that sometimes you have to ask for help.” she explains.
For Hicks, TZG isn’t just a workplace—it’s family. Over the years, she’s built lifelong friendships, especially with Trish Zita and Beth Dohm. “I wouldn’t call us colleagues—I’d call us family. Trish has always been someone I could turn to for advice, and Beth is my bestie. I can call her anytime if I need to run something past her.”
Kisha wears many hats—managing schedules, coordinating client meetings and keeping the office running smoothly. And sometimes, that means tackling unexpected challenges—like in 2008, when her former boss called her in a panic with a flat tire on the way to an important lunch meeting. Over the phone, she walked him through changing the tire step by step, a skill she learned from her late father. “That’s one of my proudest moments—other than scheduling really challenging meetings,” she laughs. “We needed that lunch meeting to happen!”
“Every day is different. You learn to read people, to read the room. You have to be confident in your work, have patience, build strong communication skills, and never be afraid to ask questions.” She also emphasizes the importance of embracing technology, staying proactive, and always believing in yourself. And her number one piece of advice? “Whatever you do, do it with a smile. Even over the phone or through an email, people can sense your energy.”
This fall, Hicks plans to continue her studies at Rowan College, driven by personal growth and the desire to set an example for her children. “There’s always room to grow, and you never know what doors might open that require that degree.”
As for the future? “I’m pretty much going to retire here,” she says. “My goals for the next five years are simple—buy my own home, enjoy life and maybe even retire a little sooner than planned.
About The Zita Group
The Zita Group is a woman-owned government and public affairs firm, both founded and led by Patrizia “Trish” Zita. Our bipartisan, experienced team of strategic consultants is widely respected by elected, appointed and government officials of both parties across New Jersey’s political landscape. We provide our clients unique insights into the decision-making process at the highest levels. We bring to bear credible working relationships with executive branch officials, legislators, and staff. Our team’s effectiveness has been demonstrated again and again by the results we achieve for our clients.
