Maranda Witherspoon Richardson

Maranda Richardson, MPPA, is CEO and principal of MWR Coaching and Consulting. Mrs. Richardson earned a Master of Public Policy with a concentration on Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the University of Missouri St. Louis, a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and Planning from Tennessee State University, and an approved International Coaching Federation certification from Coach Diversity in Washington, D.C.  She brings over 15 years of experience working to advance racial equity in the social service, philanthropic and government field by working with organizations and in communities often underserved.  As CEO and principal of MWR Coaching and Consulting, Mrs. Richardson focuses on transforming lives, engaging communities, and advancing equity.  Her work primarily focuses on centering the voices of community and stakeholders by way of intentional and thoughtful community engagement, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging training and development, transformational coaching and inclusive cannabis practices.
 
Throughout her career, Mrs. Richardson has worked to transform the community she serves.  As principal of MWR Coaching and Consulting, Mrs. Richardson has led the design and facilitation of Black Leaders Advancing Community Change (a leadership program for Black leaders within the nonprofit sector), conducted and facilitated community engagement strategies to support local and diverse communities, and planned and facilitated a listening tour to understand barriers women and girls face in achieving economic security.  
 
Maranda is the founder and president of Black Funders of St. Louis, a local giving circle working to transform and elevate Black communities by way of supporting Black-led nonprofit organizations with grants and capacity building initiatives. Mrs. Richardson’s experience, training and certifications have afforded her the opportunity to build skills and resources to engage, strengthen and transform communities.