About the Founder
About the Founder
RJ Willis, PhD
Hello, I’m Ricke “RJ” Willis, Jr. known as RJ, and I am the founder of The Up-Ward Shift (TUWS). With over 13 years of experience in the mental health field and a Doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership, my journey has been driven by a passion for creating positive organizational change and providing the support needed for individuals to thrive, both professionally and personally.
My career began as a Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), where I provided direct support to individuals navigating mental health concerns. Over time, my focus expanded, which includes outreach, case management, retail, collections, customer services, management, leadership and organizational consulting, with a particular focus on integrating mental health awareness into leadership practices. I believe that great leadership starts with empathy, active listening meaning, knowing how to respond is key to building lasting relationships, understanding, and the ability to foster a positive, supportive and conducive environment for everyone involved.
As the founder of a nonprofit organization that supports individuals with mental health concerns, including returning citizens from the prison system, helping them return into the workforce, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of leadership that prioritizes both mental health and performance. Through TUWS, I am committed to help organizations, leaders, and teams to gain insight in mental health to become more resilient, compassionate, and effective in everything they do.
Experience & Expertise
- Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) with over 13 years of experience supporting individuals with mental health concerns.
- Doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership, with a focus on leadership practices and mental health integration in the workplace.
- Founder of a nonprofit organization that provides job training, case management, peer support, and mental health assessments to individuals, especially those with a history of incarceration.
- Extensive experience working on board, bringing diverse perspectives and strategic thinking to leadership and organizational decision-making.
At TUWS, I believe that leadership isn’t just about achieving results—it’s about creating a culture of care, support, and resilience so we can become the product of our environment. As a leader, we not only need to motivate and inspire our team through motivational interviews while connecting but also create an environment where employees feel emotionally safe and empowered. Our work together is everlasting, to transform your team to become even better leaders being Emotional Intelligent (EI) and meeting the professional needs of your team, ensuring that they can be the best version of themselves for the workplace and the people we serve.
Through TUWS, I aim to empower leaders and organizations to face areas of focus head-on, to support mental health in the workplace, and to develop strategies that lead to sustainable success.