Lauren Richard
About Lauren Richard
Lauren Richard serves as the Executive Director of Project Transformation - North Texas, a position she has held since 2019. With a background in educational and therapeutic services, she has previously held leadership roles at various organizations, including Momentous Institute and New Friends New Life.
Work at Project Transformation North Texas
Lauren Richard has served as the Executive Director at Project Transformation - North Texas since 2019. In this role, she has focused on enhancing community engagement and securing partnerships to support the organization's mission. During her tenure, she successfully secured four new community grant partners and one new corporate partner in her first year. Additionally, she exceeded the annual fundraising goal for foundation and community grants by 5% in her initial year as Executive Director. Richard has also made strides in improving diversity in hiring, achieving a 22% increase in her first year.
Previous Experience in Nonprofit Leadership
Before her current position, Lauren Richard held several leadership roles in nonprofit organizations. She was the Chief Program Officer at New Friends New Life from 2017 to 2018 and the Director of Therapeutic Services at Momentous Institute from 2014 to 2017. Her experience also includes serving as the Executive Program Director at The Family Place from 2011 to 2014. Richard's background in these roles has equipped her with the skills necessary for effective program management and community outreach.
Educational Background and Qualifications
Lauren Richard has a diverse educational background. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southern Methodist University, where she studied from 1992 to 1995. She also holds a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Loyola Marymount University, completed between 1996 and 1999. Additionally, she has pursued studies in Leadership at Texas Christian University and Management at Brookhaven Community College. Her educational experiences contribute to her expertise in nonprofit leadership and program development.
Community Involvement and Advisory Roles
Lauren Richard is actively involved in various community initiatives and advisory committees. She has served on the Dallas City of Learning Advisory Committee for Big Thought and the Dallas County Domestic Violence Awareness Coalition. Additionally, she has contributed to the Beyond ABC Advisory Board for Children’s Health and the Governor’s Dallas County CST Multidisciplinary Team. Her involvement in these organizations reflects her commitment to improving community services and advocating for vulnerable populations.
Notable Contributions to Early Childhood Education
Lauren Richard played a significant role in the creation of the Texas School Ready program, which is an online, state-adopted system designed for early childhood educators. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of early childhood education in Texas. Furthermore, she served as an Accreditation Validator for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), contributing to the standards of early childhood education and care.