Keesha Jean-Baptiste

Keesha Jean-Baptiste is senior vice president, chief talent officer for Hearst Magazines, overseeing the division’s people and culture, including talent, engagement, leadership and employee experience.

Before joining Hearst in 2018, she was senior vice president of talent, engagement and inclusion at the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s), the leading trade association representing the advertising agency industry. At the 4A’s, Jean-Baptiste led the production of thought leadership for the industry and member agencies around recruitment, professional development, leadership and inclusion. She also oversaw diversity-focused initiatives for the 4A’s Foundation, including the Multicultural Advertising Intern Program.

Prior to 4A’s, she spent six years at Wieden+Kennedy beginning in 2011, first as a recruiting manager, and then as director of talent and human resources. During her tenure at Wieden+Kennedy, Jean-Baptiste executed a strategic reimagining of the agency’s human resources department. From 2005 to 2010, she held various senior-level human resources roles at Digitas. She started her career in marketing, also at Digitas, and previously was the business development director at Essence.

Jean-Baptiste is a graduate of James Madison University and holds a master’s degree from Emerson College.