Elevating Strategic Leadership Across Brand-Led Marketing Initiatives
Rizco is excited to share that Alicia Shepherd, previously the Director of Strategy & Content, has recently stepped into her new role as Vice President of Strategy & Content.
Following her eighth year with the agency, the promotion recognizes the impact she has made across client work, internal leadership, and Rizco’s strategy and content process.
Over the years, Alicia has played a central role in strengthening Rizco’s approach to brand strategy, storytelling, content development, and integrated marketing. She partners with organizations to build stronger, more valuable brands by aligning business goals with clear positioning and unified marketing strategies. Her work helps companies communicate more effectively, accelerate growth, and increase enterprise value—an impact reflected in the number of client organizations that have successfully grown, merged, or been acquired in recent years.
With more than 25 years of marketing experience, Alicia brings deep expertise in brand strategy, communications planning, digital marketing, sales, visual merchandising, and customer experience. She began her career in New York City at leading advertising agencies Grey Global Group and Starcom Worldwide after earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Minor in Communications from Lehigh University.
“At Rizco, we believe the strongest brands create stronger businesses,” said Debra Rizzi, President of Rizco.
“Alicia has been instrumental in helping our clients build brands that attract talent, earn trust, differentiate in competitive markets, and support long-term business growth. Her promotion to Vice President recognizes the strategic leadership she has already demonstrated and the critical role she will continue to play in shaping our agency’s future. As we continue to help organizations increase enterprise value through brand strategy, Alicia’s vision, expertise, and commitment to our clients make her an invaluable member of our executive team.”
In addition to her client work, Alicia founded Rizco’s MOVEment program (Mindfulness, Opportunity, Vibrancy, and Encouragement), an internal wellness and culture initiative designed to support the team’s physical, mental, and professional well-being. The program reflects her commitment as a leader to fostering a positive work environment.
She is also active in the regional marketing community, including serving on the New Jersey Ad Club’s 2026 Jersey Awards Committee.
As Vice President of Strategy & Content, Alicia will continue to lead Rizco’s strategy, brand development, and content initiatives while advancing the agency’s strategic capabilities. She will help evolve Rizco’s brand processes through the thoughtful integration of AI, strengthen the agency’s culture through initiatives like MOVEment, and continue helping clients build brands that drive business growth, increase enterprise value, and create lasting competitive advantage.
Reflecting on her 8 years and promotion, Alicia stated:
“Being part of the Rizco team, from day one, has been filled with opportunity—opportunities for learning, creativity, collaboration, and leadership—within a culture that encourages each of us to evolve in our role and grow alongside the company.
As Vice President of Strategy & Content, I am grateful for this new opportunity to expand the impact of my brand-led experience. With brand at the core of what we do, together we build brands for our clients, strengthen Rizco’s own brand and culture, and ensure every strategy, story, and experience reflects the brands we champion and the value we create.”
