Melissa Richmond

About Melissa Richmond

Enthusiastic supporter of women, particularly young women in politics. Willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Ruthlessly detail oriented. Motivated by metrics. Enjoy team work (but candidly get more done at the end of the day after everyone else has left). Almost always speak with my hands, especially in large groups. Frequently the \"adult in the room\" in challenging personal and professional situations. Proudest moments have been turning challenges into positive action. Recently spoke out about a Congressman who invited me his house alone late one night for a \"final interview.\" When I declined, my internship disappeared. The Washington Post let me share my story as the Congressman was resigning amid allegations of sexual harassment from his staff. My message to younger women who are in similar situations was positive - Say no. Seek support from family or friends. Speak out if you can. People will rally to support you!The first person to call and support me was my longtime role model and favorite Congresswoman. We made an ad together highlighting how experiences like mine inspired a bipartisan bill that will end secret settlements and taxpayer bailouts for sexual predators in Congress.

Experience

1. Chief Strategy Officer

   Running Start

   Jan 2013 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Running Start is a nonpartisan nonprofit that trains young women to run for political office. In the past 13 years, Running Start has given 12,500+ young women the skills and inspiration they need to run and win.I spearhead the training of 2,500+ diverse 15 – 25 year old young women at 100+ trainings around the country each year, with the help of 500+ speakers, trainers, and mentors. I\'ve personally trained young women at 30+ colleges, in 15+ states, and in Jamaica, Mexico, Sierra Leone and Tunisia (at the invitation of the UNDP and State Department). Each year, I place fellows with Congresswomen. So far, 99 fellows have been placed with more than half of the women in Congress. In addition to leading trainings, I speak almost weekly to outside groups about the importance of getting more women elected. And, I lead a fundraiser that is the most widely supported annual event by the women in Congress, with 90%+ of Congresswomen on its host committee.After receiving criticism about my appearance during a training I was facilitating, I created #ILookLikeAPolitician to inspire young women to think of themselves a political leaders and run in spite of sexist media coverage of women in politics. It\'s received millions of impressions.

Education

• Yale University

  Women's Campaign School

  2015 — 2015

• The George Washington University Law School

  Doctor of Law (JD)

  2014

• Brigham Young University

  Bachelor of Science (BS), Political Science

  2009

Skills

• Management
• Community Outreach