Patrick Riccards

Accomplished Management Executive | Strategic Visionary

Dr. Patrick Riccards is a seasoned communications strategist with more than 30 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations. He has worked under three presidential administrations and guided strategy for departments including Education, Treasury, and NIH. Patrick currently serves as president and CEO of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement. A nationally recognized speaker and award-winning author, he’s known for blending real-world crisis experience with sharp, strategic insight. His work has earned honors from PR News, Bulldog Reporter, and IATOP. He holds degrees from the University of Virginia and the University of Southern California.

About

Dr. Patrick Riccards has guided Fortune 500 companies, federal and state agencies, and nonprofit and advocacy organizations on strategic communications, crisis communications, and public engagement for the past 30 years.

During his career, Patrick has advised three presidential administrations and more than a half-dozen cabinet-level agencies, including the US Departments of Education, Transportation, Defense, and Treasury, as well as NIH. He has also been a communications counselor to more than a dozen states.

Patrick has been honored by PR News as Public Affairs Professional of the Year and its Social Media MVP Icon, Bulldog Reporter as Outstanding Not-for-Profit Communicator Gold Medal Winner and its Non-Profit Communications Professional of the Year, Nonprofit Entrepreneur of the Year by BASA, and Business Leader of the Decade by IATOP. Patrick is currently the president and CEO of the Driving Force Institute for Public Engagement.

A nationally recognized author, Patrick is the author of two award-winning books and primary editor and contributing author of two other books. Patrick regularly speaks on the intersections of policy, research, media, and community engagement.

Patrick earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and his doctorate from the University of Southern California.

Published Book

Strategic Strikes

Mastering Your Communications in the Cage Match of Public Opinion

Communications isn’t a job—it’s a fight. And in a world where a single headline can tank a brand, destroy a career, or shift public sentiment overnight, your survival depends not on how well you follow the plan but how fast you adapt when the plan explodes. In Strategic Strikes: Mastering…

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