Councilwoman Chakisse Newton represents Richland County Council District 11. She has deep roots in Lower Richland County, where the Newton family has lived and worked for more than 200 years. In her first run for public office, she continues the family tradition of community service. She brings a fresh perspective to Richland County Council and will focus on accountability, transparency and improving residents’ quality of life.
Ms. Newton has more than 20 years of diverse business experience. She is the owner and president of Cardinal Consulting, which provides strategy, communications, speaking and training services. Her professional work has included clients of all types and sizes, from local nonprofits and regional businesses to global corporations such as Microsoft.
She is an award-winning speaker and has presented to and provided training for groups across the country on topics including business results improvement, improving effectiveness and individual motivation. In both 2005 and 2009 Toastmasters International recognized Chakisse as one of the 10 best speakers in the world.
She is active in the community and serves on the board of the United Way of the Midlands, where she has volunteered for more than 10 years. Her other board service includes S.C. Independent Colleges and Universities (current), Richland Library Friends, Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR), and the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, among others.