Alisha Tillery is Vice President of Public Relations, Research and Engagement. Her past work experience includes nearly 20 years of agency and nonprofit communications experience, including supervising teams and landing media placements for clients in mainstream outlets, such as ABC News and EBONY Magazine. Leading multiple award-winning integrated communications projects for college and universities and regional public works organizations, she was also named Executive of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America – Memphis Chapter in 2022.

Tillery’s experience also includes nearly 10 years as an adjunct professor at the University of Memphis and freelance writing and journalism. Her writing has appeared in Smithsonian Magazine, Shondaland by Shonda Rhimes and others. 

Alisha earned her undergraduate degree in journalism from Southern University A & M College and her graduate degree in communications from Louisiana State University. 

She enjoys reading, spending time with her family and supporting HBCU marching bands. Alisha serves the community as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and volunteer work at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Janay Jeans is a Memphis native and graduate of the University of Memphis where she earned a master’s degree in journalism and strategic media and a bachelor’s degree in political science. 

Driven to excel in public relations and storytelling as an Account Executive, Janay brings experience in writing, social media and media relations to her role. 

In 2023, she served as the awards chair for the  Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Memphis chapter. Prior to joining KQ, she worked in communications at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, creating digital art illustrations, reading and playing tennis.

Joyce McKinney is the Chief of Client Services at KQ Communications, where she leads the firm’s Atlanta office. An award-winning communications strategist, public relations professional, and community engagement leader, Joyce brings extensive experience in corporate communications, public affairs, and strategic partnerships. She has successfully led initiatives for government agencies, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies, including MGM Resorts and Hilton Hotels Corporation, where she directed corporate communications and community outreach that garnered national awards and attention.

Since joining KQ Communications in 2014 after graduating with honors from the University of Memphis, Joyce has played a pivotal role in the firm’s growth and has led numerous award-winning projects. Her ability to anticipate client needs and craft innovative solutions propelled her from Senior Account Executive to Vice President before assuming her current leadership position.

Beyond her professional achievements, Joyce is deeply committed to community service. She actively supports various local initiatives and contributes her time and expertise through her church, The Faith Center in Tucker, GA. With 10 siblings, 27 nieces and nephews, and two godchildren, Joyce is an expert communicator who thrives on connection and making space for the next generation of communicators.

Kirstin L. Cheers is a native Memphian and multi-hyphenate creative. A self-proclaimed “jade of all trades,” Kirstin holds a master’s degree in communication studies with an emphasis in media and cultural studies and a bachelor’s degree in journalism with a minor in African American studies from the University of Memphis.

Prior to working in communications, Kirstin started her career in politics in college, interning for both the TN General Assembly in Nashville, and The United States Congress via The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, D.C. 

As a writer and photographer, she has bylines in REVOLT, The Root, The Huffington Post, MLK50, The Commercial Appeal, and The New Tri-State Defender. 

In her free time, Kirstin enjoys spending time with her dog-daughter, Peaches, a foster she adopted during the pandemic. She also enjoys powerlifting and road-tripping with friends to explore new brunch spots.

Meredith Pierce is a native Memphian who explored the West Coast and Midwest before returning to the Bluff City in 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

As a Senior Account Executive, Meredith enjoys writing, research and leading projects. She is a passionate proofreader and has worked in journalism and communications for 20-plus years. As a reporter, her beats included civil courts, education, transportation, county government, and criminal justice. In recent years, she led communications teams at K-12 school districts in Memphis and St. Louis.

Her favorite things include the ocean, podcasts, nonfiction, crossword puzzles, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, Memphis Tigers basketball, cooking, traveling, and downtime with her wife and their two cats.

Nicole Brown is a Senior Account Executive at KQ Communications in Atlanta, Georgia. She develops and executes strategies for navigating complex media landscapes to achieve measurable results for B2B and B2C campaigns across various industries.

Throughout her career, Nicole has garnered client features in prominent news outlets such as Black Enterprise, BlackDoctor.org, CNN, EBONY, Essence, Forbes, TheGrio and The Jennifer Hudson Show. In 2024, her media relations expertise contributed to the KQ team earning the PRSA Memphis Gold Award in the consumer services category. Nicole is the PRSA Georgia 2025 Rising Star Award honoree.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication with a concentration in Public Relations from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Nicole engages in professional development and volunteer opportunities with PRSA Georgia. She is also a member of the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists.

In her free time, Nicole enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, binge-watching ’90s TV shows, reading and finding waterfalls.

Renee Malone, APR, is the President & CEO of KQ Communications. Known as the firm’s strategic communications planning and crisis media expert, she is accredited in public relations (APR), certified in crisis communication and holds an undergraduate degree in communications and an MBA with a concentration in marketing.

Renee has spent nearly two decades leading award-winning projects for KQ’s nonprofit, business and government clients. As a result, KQ has grown into one of the largest Black-owned PR firms in the Southeast. 

Renee has received awards from PRNEWS, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Memphis and Georgia chapters, and the National School Public Relations Association. Past honors include PRSA Memphis 2019 Executive of the Year; 2021 Memphis Business Journal (MBJ) Superwoman in Business and two-time finalist for the MBJ Executive of the Year Award (2017 and 2021). She also serves several nonprofit and business-related organizations, including The BOW Collective, comprising the top 1% of business owners.

Before co-founding KQ, Renee worked as a broadcast news reporter and anchor, and as a public information officer for a school district. She is an Illinois native. Renee is married to Dr. F. Kevin Malone, and they have two adult children, Dominique (Yannick) and Kevin Jr.

Renee is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Brown Missionary Baptist Church.