Growing up in Washington, DC and being immersed in news cycles, politics and philosophical debates, I learned many childhood lessons about self-advocacy, interpersonal relations, getting a word in and sharing a good story. Looking back, I’d say I was born to be a professional communicator. I’ve enjoyed a 20-year career contributing to solutions to this nation’s many social challenges and spent nearly half of that time in DC’s pioneering public charter school movement. From that experience, I became a passionate believer in and advocate for public education reform as a means to improve America’s overall health, prosperity and democracy. Part of my passion comes from my ability to relate closely to our stakeholders, who include my family, friends, neighbors, community members and fellow citizens.

I am thrilled to be a part of Widmeyer’s education practice because I believe in the company’s commitment to serving clients well and to contributing to problem-solving that will have an important, positive and lasting impact on our nation. In my spare time, I enjoy the entertainment of family gatherings, outdoor activities, reading non-fiction and watching the Home and Garden TV Network.

Connect with me:

• http://www.linkedin.com/in/nonarichardson
• http://www.twitter.com/nonarichardson

Biography:

Nona Richardson is a vice president in Widmeyer’s PreK-12 practice. A seasoned communications professional, she brings more than 20 years of professional experience, including marketing and communications, organizational management and leadership, and program development in private, non-profit and government agencies.  

At Widmeyer, Richardson provides strategic communications counsel and support to a number of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s initiatives aimed at improving the lives and future possibilities of vulnerable children and their families.

She spent nine years as communications director for the DC Public Charter School Board, which is the independent authorizer and oversight body for all DC charter schools. As the organization quintupled in size during her time there, Richardson led a communications team that handled the organization’s strategic communications planning, mainstream and social media outreach, print and online publications, speechwriting, event planning, crisis communications, stakeholder engagement and government relations. 

Prior to that experience, she developed and directed a leadership and professional development program for highly-recruited minority undergraduate and graduate students at a Historically Black College.  Many of these students were the first in their families to complete college and benefited from exposure to corporate environments as part of their professional development.  Early in her career she worked as an entrepreneur, producing conferences and events for government and private industry clients. 

Richardson earned a B.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and an M.A. in Communication from Johns Hopkins University.  She also studied at the Université de Paris, Sorbonne, where she became fluent in French.

Contact information:

• 1129 20th St NW, Suite 200,
  Washington, DC 20036
  Phone 202.667.0901
  Fax 202.667.0902