Kimberly Ricketts

Kimberly Ricketts is a New Jersey politician. She served as New Jersey's Commissioner of Families and Children under Governor Jon Corzine.

Early life and education Ricketts majored in human services at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She also minored in child and family development. Later, Ricketts earned her masters of education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Ricckets spent her early career working on children and family focused organizations in North Carolina, Florida and New Jersey. In 2005, Ricketts served as Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. In August 2006, Ricketts became the Administrator of New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety. She was sworn in as Acting Commissioner on July 1, 2008, replacing outgoing Commissioner Kevin Ryan. Children's Rights expressed its approval of Ricketts' performance as Commissioner, noting the progress the state made in increasing adoptions out of foster care and establishing children's medical units in each Division of Youth and Family Services office. In 2011, Ricketts testified in the lawsuit of a former employee of the Division of Consumer Affairs who claimed Ricketts terminated him in violation of the state whistle blowing statute. The employee was awarded damages and reinstated following trial.

Post-government career In June 2010, the Casey Family Programs hired Ricketts as Managing Director for Strategic Consulting.