Type Of Business:
Organizational, partnership and policy development.
Expertise:
She is a nationally recognized expert in organizational and partnership development, advocacy, evaluation and sustainability. She introduced California's first afterschool legislation, which now provides $550 million in funding to programs serving more than a million students every year. She is a frequent keynote speaker and workshop presenter at conferences throughout the United States.
Major Product/SVS:
She supports the development of exemplary comprehensive afterschool programs in low-income communities throughout the United States and is the author of several of the most widely read books and articles in her field including Lessons in Leaders Saving Lives; Expand and Excel; and Developing Examplary Practices in Afterschool Programs.
Hobbies/Sports:
She has lived, worked and visited 52 countries on six continents developing positive people-to-people programs and strengthening cross-cultural relationships. She is a former top-tanking tennis player and current golfer.
Education Degrees:
She earned her Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Doctorate degrees in Political Science at the University of California, Los Angeles. She was Vice President of the Sophomore Class, Vice President of Alpha Phi Sorority, a teaching and research assistant and associate, a participant in Operation Crossroads Africa and member of the Chancellor's Advisory Committee.
Affiliations Awards:
She has been an advisor to the Academy for Educational Development, the National League of Cities, The White House Executive Council, the Afterschool Alliance and several state departments of education and private foundations.
Place of Birth:
Santa Monica, California
Industry:
Educational Consulting
State/Country of Origin:
USA
Children's Names:
She has a daughter, Melissa Richardson, and three grandchildren, Hunter, Dane and Gavin.
Date of Distinction:
8/3/2011
Work History:
She has worked as a Consultant, the RAND Corporation; Professor of Political Science and Director of the Political Studies Center, University of La Verne; Director, Sacramento START; Chief Consultant, Center for Collaborative Solutions; Director of Program Development, California Afterschool Partnership; and Founder and Director, Center for Evaluation, Program Development and Sustainability.
Career Achievements:
As a mentor,coach and guide-by-the-side, she has been highly instrumental in promoting and supporting the next generation of leaders in program, policy and partnership development in the United States.
What do you feel separates you from the rest of the professionals in your industry?:
She is deeply committed to making a difference in the world and passionate about finding creative ways to unleash the power of people working together to find solutions to complex and challenging problems.
What has been the most outstanding thing you have done thus far in your career?:
Her greatest career achievement has been bringing people with diverse interests and backgrounds together to address major social, economic and political problems and create innovative solutions to these problems.
How would you like to be remembered by your peers?:
She would like to be remembered by her peers as someone who had powerful, compelling vision of what could be and led the way in co-creating a better future for millions of children, young people and their families and communities.
If you could solve one problem in the world today, what would it be?:
She is committed to providing opportunities and support systems that help remove barriers to social justice and eliminate poverty.
Expanded Biography:
See attachment
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
The highlight that stands out most in of her career is the passage of California's first comprehensive afterschool legislation, which she introduced and which has resulted in $550 million a year in funding for programs in high poverty communities throughout the state.
Number Of Years In Profession:
17
Number Of Years In Current Position:
12
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to her passion for making a difference in the world, her commitment to social change and social justice and the incredible friends, colleagues and family members who have supported her in co-creating a better future for millions of children and young people and their families.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession when she was offered a position as the first director of an innovative, comprehensive afterschool program and was successful in making it a model for improving the lives of millions of students in low-income areas throughout the country.
Extended Bio Profile:
See attachment
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
She creates and implements innovative approaches to building the capacity of individuals and organizations to achieve their goals and make a difference in the world, particularly in the areas of social change and social justice.
Awards/Honors:
She has been honored as Who's Who Professional of the Year in Educational Consulting; Who's Who in America; Who's Who in the West; OSTI Pioneer Award; Distinguished Service Award, California Senate; Soroptimist Outstanding Woman of Achievement; numerous radio and has been featured in numerous television appearances and newspaper and journal articles.
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, she hopes to have taken two of her current statewide initiatives to scale in the United States, with programs and partnerships changing lives and saving lives through the Healthy Behaviors Initiative and the Exemplary Practices Initiative.