Yolanda Richard (she/her/hers) is a seasoned nonprofit executive with over a decade of experience leading systemic change for racial, economic, and climate justice. Her journey began in Miami, Florida, shaped by her family’s dry-cleaning business—a bold act of resilience by migrants facing anti-immigrant, anti-Black and anti-poor barriers. Though she didn’t take over the business, Yolanda’s belief in the transformative power of small enterprises has fueled her career in supporting nonprofits that uplift marginalized communities.
Yolanda has held key leadership roles at organizations including the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver, FPWA (Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies), Yale University and Columbia University. At FPWA, she led several high-impact initiatives: in 2019, she orchestrated NYC’s largest interfaith campaign around the 2020 census, reaching 300,000+ residents in undercounted communities and earning recognition from the U.S. Census Bureau. She also spearheaded the Roll Up Your Sleeves New York vaccine campaign, securing $5.5 million in funding to reach over two million Black and Brown New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership contributed to 70% voter approval of NYC’s racial justice ballot proposals, setting a national precedent.
Yolanda holds a Master of Divinity from Yale and a B.A. in Political Science and Africana Studies from the University of Miami. She also holds certifications in nonprofit leadership and finance. Now Executive Director at GBC, she brings passion and strategic vision to her work. In her free time, Yolanda enjoys backpacking and exploring Colorado’s great outdoors.