Nessa Richman

About Nessa Richman

Nessa Richman, MPP, has a deep background in regional food systems development. She is a seasoned nonprofit executive with a track record of scaling high-impact organizations and developing innovative projects. She founded and led a consulting firm in Washington DC, where she assisted national, regional, and local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions. Nessa specializes in: developing and furthering programs at the nexus of food access, health, and sustainable food system development; matching organizational objectives with capital access; developing and implementing evaluation strategies; and translating “food system” language and concepts into understandable terms for executive, financial, economic development audiences. Nessa is driven by intellectual curiosity and a passionate commitment to making a positive impact on people, places, and the environment. She is trained in the art of Participatory Leadership and Circle Way, democratic methods of creating successful organizational development and change through respect and equal engagement of all stakeholders.

Experience

1. Executive Director

   Rhode Island Food Policy Council

   Mar 2018 — Present · Kingston, RI, US

   The Council, which was established in 2011, promotes a more accessible, equitable, and sustainable food system in Rhode Island. Its work is coordinated by a statewide collaboration of stakeholders from all sectors of the food system. As Director, I lead the Council in achieving its mission to create partnerships and advocate for improvements to the state’s food system to increase and expand its sustainability. I also work with other Rhode Island state leaders in implementing the Rhode Island Food Strategy, a comprehensive five-year plan unveiled in May 2017 to grow and sustain markets for locally grown food for the good of communities, the environment, and the economy.

Education

• UMASS Amherst

  BA, Political Economy of Natural Resources

  1988 — 1992

• Interaction Institute for Social Change

  Fundamentals of Facilitation for Racial Justice , Facilitation

  2021 — 2021

• Harvard Kennedy School

  MPP, Environment, Business and Government

  1995 — 1997

Skills

• Strategic Planning
• Fundraising
• Research
• Grant Writing
• Program Development
• Policy
• Writing
• Non-Profits
• Grants
• Program Management
• Government
• Policy Analysis
• Public Policy
• Program Evaluation
• Data Analysis
• Sustainability
• Economic Development
• Analysis
• Organizational Development
• Proposal Writing
• Capacity Building
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Volunteer Management
• Philanthropy
• Qualitative Research
• Training
• Training Facilitation
• Nonprofits
• Nonprofit Organizations