Shayla Richard is a mission-driven program leader committed to advancing women’s economic empowerment and community-led development. With over 15 years of experience guiding complex iniatives across nonprofit, public, and cross-sector environments, she brings a deep understanding of how thoughtful leadership, strong relationships, and sound systems can create lasting social impact.

Throughout her career, Shayla has partnered with diverse stakeholders from community members and nonprofit teams to policymakers and executive leaders to design and implement programs that are responsive, inclusive, and results oriented. She believes meaningful change happens when communities are actively engaged in shaping solutions, and she is passionate about participatory approaches that strengthen collective capacity and local leadership.

Her experience includes supporting regulated public programs, facilitating organizational transitions, and building structures that enhance accountability, transparency, and sustainability. She has led training iniatives, managed budgets, strengthened oeprational processes, and created feedback loops that elevate community voices and improve program outcomes.

A graduae of the 2010 cohort of the Urban Leadership Foundation Connect formerly known as Chamber Connect, Shayla holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from The University of Denver and has pursued a Master’s Degree in public policy from The University of Colorado at Denver. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and also the co-lead of SPIN (Sisterhood of Philanthropists Impacting Needs).