ELITE 2022 Mentor Ericka McKenna of 21GRAMS, part of Real Chemistry

Ericka McKenna

EVP, Group Account Director

21GRAMS, part of Real Chemistry

Inspiring Others by Example

Though she runs one of the largest account groups at 21GRAMS, has been awarded six AOR assignments with Janssen Oncology, and manages a team of 25 people and agency fees well into eight figures, Ericka McKenna attributes her successes to the collaborative, respectful, and authentic relationships she’s developed with her clients and teams.

Ericka fosters an inspired and productive environment and consistently challenges her mentees with new opportunities to develop their talent. “Ericka is a different kind of leader,” says Group Account Supervisor, Emily Dzilenski, who has worked with Ericka for years—both at 21GRAMS and another agency. “She embodies the idea that you need lead by example. She is polished, personable, and strategic—taking a solution-oriented and human approach when interacting with her clients and internal team.”

When she is not helping her staff further their careers, Ericka lectures at her alma mater, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, about the value of a career in healthcare communications and helps students fine-tune their resumes, prepare for interviews, and find internships and full-time roles in the industry.

Ericka often mentors by example, showing what confidence and perseverance can achieve. Her fearless personality shone through when raising money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society—she had the moxie to ask celebrities for merchandise she could auction at events and they responded generously, with autographed albums from Taylor Swift and Dave Matthews, autographed photos from Annie Leibovitz, signed recordings of Stephen Sondheim’s musicals, and tickets to live shows from Steven Colbert and Andy Cohen.

In the last five years, Ericka raised $100,000 and lobbied her Congressional representatives to improve funding for MS research. Her purpose-driven initiative has resulted in some of the most meaningful “work” she has ever done. “She is hard on the work, but never fails to be good to her people,” Dzilenski says. “She instills confidence in her team that we have a fierce advocate and mentor on our side, as she always has a pulse on our personal well-being and professional success. She is the person in the room we aspire to be, and luckily for us, she’s dedicated to helping us follow in her footsteps.”

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