Throughout my nine years in the nonprofit sector, I've come to recognize intentionality, curiosity, accountability, and collaboration as guiding principles necessary for solving problems and achieving goals. With these principles, I offer my clients my expertise in community engagement, strategic planning, and storytelling.
My deep-seated desire to serve my community brought me to this work. My journey began as a volunteer with both the Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Soon after, I moved to Austin, Texas to finish my undergraduate degree. There, I served two terms as a national youth advisory council member for Planned Parenthood Federation of America and worked as a campus organizer for the Texas Freedom Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to defending LGBTQ rights, reproductive health, and voting rights. I received my bachelor's degree in Gender Studies with a focus on Government at the University of Texas at Austin.
After college, I moved to Seattle and worked as the Programs Coordinator at Washington Filmworks, the private nonprofit organization responsible for Washington State's film production incentive. There, I managed the applications and contribution campaign for the $3.5 million incentive program and oversaw the Film Leadership Council, an advisory group to the Washington Filmworks Board of Directors.
I currently work with Ostara as an independent consultant and owner of Witting Ficus Consulting.
Fun facts about Richelle:
- I volunteered at the Fractal Foundation of New Mexico where I taught elementary school students about geometric fractal equations through arts and crafts
- My best friend and I have matching cactus tattoos that I designed
- I am left-handed