Kimberly Pinckney, Ph.D.
Dr. Kimberly Pinckney, Ph.D., is an experienced community psychologist and public service leader based in the Greater Chicago Area. She currently serves as Assistant Chief of Staff with the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), where she supports programs that serve people with disabilities. In this role, she focuses on strengthening operations, improving communication, and ensuring staff are equipped to deliver high-quality, person-centered services. Her leadership style is rooted in servant leadership, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to underserved communities.
With more than 28 years of experience in public service and community psychology, Dr. Pinckney has held several key roles within DHS, including Assistant Bureau Chief and Public Service Administrator. Her work has centered on advancing workforce development, youth services, and rehabilitation programs across the state of Illinois. She earned her Ph.D. in Community Psychology from National-Louis University, where she also contributed as an adjunct professor. Her academic background and applied research expertise have informed her approach to program evaluation, coaching, and systems improvement.
Beyond her government service, Dr. Pinckney is the founder of Emotional Intelligence Transformation, an LLC dedicated to promoting emotional intelligence through workshops, speaking engagements, and writing. She is the author of Emotional Intelligence Transformation, published in 2025, which explores how self-awareness, empathy, and behavioral change can support personal and community growth. She is also developing additional work focused on emotional manipulation and relationship dynamics, while preparing to expand her impact through a nonprofit organization aimed at holistic wellness and emotional development.
• National-Louis University - PhD
• Phenomenal Woman's Award from the Chicago Defender (2015)
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my career journey, which began over 10 years ago when I started teaching emotional intelligence at National Louis University. That foundational experience ultimately led me to publish my book, Emotional Intelligence Transformation, in early 2025.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you can have a successful career while also helping others.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is that you can be successful while also making a meaningful impact on others. As I continue to grow in my career, I am also intentional about service and giving back, including my plans to establish the EQ Institute for Holistic Wellness. I’ve also been honored to receive the Phenomenal Woman’s Award from the Chicago Defender in 2015, which reinforced my belief that purpose and success can go hand in hand.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunity in my field right now is the ability to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others through emotional intelligence, leadership development, and holistic wellness, as well as through my LLC, Emotional Intelligence Transformation, I am able to impact both systems and individuals in ways that promote growth, resilience, and effective leadership.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important value to me is helping others and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I am passionate about applying emotional intelligence to address real challenges in communities, especially among young people, by promoting self-awareness, empathy, and social understanding.
I believe people are not defined by the environments they grew up in, and that with the right tools, they can unlearn limiting behaviors and grow into better versions of themselves. This belief drives my work, from my book and workshops to my consulting and nonprofit efforts.