LaKeisha Garnett
LaKeisha Garnett is a dedicated administrative professional with over 27 years of experience in customer service and administrative support. She currently serves as a Clerical Assistant II at the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), a role she has held for the past two years. In this position, she manages a wide range of administrative responsibilities, including handling calls, sorting mail, processing Right to Know requests, managing internal and external communications, and ensuring smooth office operations through meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
Throughout her career, LaKeisha has developed extensive experience in customer service, insurance verification, and office administration, working with organizations such as Aston Carter, Select Medical, and Abel Personnel Services. Her expertise includes data entry, record keeping, client relations, multitasking, and navigating complex office systems, demonstrating her adaptability and commitment to excellence across diverse roles and industries.
A single mother of five, LaKeisha draws inspiration from her children and credits them as her greatest motivation. She is a survivor of lung cancer, which has instilled a profound sense of gratitude and resilience in both her personal and professional life. Outside of work, she pursues her passion for candle-making and aromatherapy and actively supports fundraisers for the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association. Known for her friendly personality, reliability, and strong work ethic, LaKeisha continues to pursue professional growth and is committed to advancing within PCCD through additional training in communication and leadership.
• Harrisburg High School
What do you attribute your success to?
Lakeisha attributes her success to her five children, who are her greatest motivation. As a single mother, she worked tirelessly to show her daughters the value of hard work, perseverance, and independence. She believes her journey of returning to the workforce after years at home, rebuilding her career, and achieving her current role demonstrates that starting over is possible at any stage of life. She also credits her natural warmth, kindness, and friendliness, qualities that make her memorable in every workplace. Her positive attitude is rooted in deep gratitude, as surviving lung cancer profoundly changed her perspective on life, and she carries that sense of gratitude with her in all that she does.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to stay determined and keep pushing forward, even when the work feels challenging or the next step is unclear. Early in my career, particularly in call center roles, I learned that patience and perseverance always pay off and are key to long-term success.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to pursue your goals with enthusiasm, remain open to learning new skills, and seek work that feels fulfilling. It’s important to stay patient with yourself, especially when challenges feel overwhelming, and to believe in your ability to grow, regardless of your background or the obstacles you face. You deserve stable careers, financial independence, and roles that bring you both satisfaction and joy.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field include navigating complex mail routing and internal systems as a newcomer, ensuring accuracy under tight deadlines, and managing high call and chat volumes in customer-facing roles. At the same time, the field offers opportunities for growth, such as advancing into higher-level administrative or communication positions, exploring grant management, and leveraging customer service experience as a foundation for supervisory roles. As a single mother of five, my children are my greatest inspiration, and surviving lung cancer has given me a profound appreciation for health and life. Outside of work, I am passionate about candle-making and aromatherapy, and I actively support fundraisers for the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association. Known for my friendly personality, reliability, and strong work ethic, I strive to contribute positively to every team I join and am committed to continuous growth, including pursuing additional communication and leadership training to advance within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, respect, empathy, kindness, gratitude, consistency, and family. I believe in treating people with kindness in every situation, giving my best effort each day, and remaining grateful for my health and the ability to provide for my family. These principles guide my decisions, interactions, and the way I approach every challenge and opportunity.