Erin Richardson

I guide people through uncertainty with objective clarity, creative insight, and infectious joy.

Core Consultant | Raleigh, NC

My Change Catalyst:

Mary Wollstonecraft
Writer | Philosopher | Activist

Author of the groundbreaking A Vindication on the Rights of Woman, Wollstonecraft paved the way for equal treatment of men and women in education and society. Her feminist philosophy directly inspired other writers and activists, including Jane Austen, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and American suffragettes Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. In my work, I am inspired by Wollstonecraft’s ability to challenge beliefs and behaviors generally accepted as inevitable. When other people say, “That’s just how things are,” I try to ask, “What if things can be different?”

  • Change Expertise:

    - Complex transformation

    - Human-centered design

    - Organization design

    - Operational excellence

    I have experience with:

    - Oil & gas

    - Government (federal and state)

    - Nonprofit

    - Healthcare

    - Insurance

    - Global projects

    Education:

    - M.A. in International Commerce & Policy from George Mason University

    - B.A. in Economics and Business from Kalamazoo College

  • I love the creativity. There’s nothing cookie-cutter about what we do. We have a great set of tools and approaches and a strong foundation in what works, but we’re not afraid to try something new based on the unique needs of the client. That balance between experience and exploration is really exciting.

    It’s also just fascinating to learn about what people do every day. I get to immerse myself in the minute details of different teams and processes — and then I get to zoom out to find hidden connections, answer the unanswerable, and help solve problems from an objective point of view.

    1. Always approach things with a spirit of curiosity. “Why?” and “What if?” are such powerful questions to ask - they keep you focused on the possibilities, not the limitations.

    2. Empathy is a superpower. It may not always feel like it, but it is. Putting yourself in other people’s shoes is so important, especially when you work in change.

    3. Celebrate your wins! This work is nebulous by nature - with so many moving parts and micro-adjustments, it’s easy to get to the end of the week and think of all the things you couldn’t get done. But if you root yourself in your successes, you can turn on a more growth-oriented lens and move forward with agility and grounded confidence. It’s a game-changer.

  • I am a voracious reader. I love a book that can transport the reader to an alternate world. I don’t have a favorite novel, but I am drawn to magical realism.

  • This isn’t so much a travel destination, but I have a New Years’ tradition that I really love. Once Christmas is over, I spend about a week somewhere new all by myself — relaxing, taking stock of the old year, and reflecting on the energy I want to bring into the new year. Two years ago was my first time doing it, and I went to Costa Rica. This past New Years’ I spent in Bequia (which is in in the Grenadines). It’s such a mindful and empowering way to start my year - I highly recommend it to anyone who can!

  • You can find me playing with my cat Sooty, exploring new restaurants in Raleigh, or taking a weird one-day class. Some of my favorite classes I’ve taken: chopsticks carving, calligraphy, and a shoe-shining/whiskey-tasting double header.

More about me:

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