Lisa J. Richardson
Program Leadership
Bennington,NE
Summary
Transformational leader with over 20 years of proven success in enhancing child, family, and community outcomes within nonprofit, education, and public sectors. Renowned for strategic vision and operational excellence, coupled with a steadfast commitment to delivering equitable, high-quality early childhood and family services. Expertise in organizational leadership, systems change, workforce development, program expansion, and cultivating cross-sector partnerships consistently inspires teams to drive strategic priorities and establish sustainable, high-impact service delivery models. Knowledgeable Director of Programs adept at managing operations and elevating team performance through initiatives that enhance service quality and staff efficiency while fostering collaborative environments that adapt to evolving needs.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Children & Family Center Director
Nebraska Children's Home Society
Omaha, NE
11.2020 - Current
- Developed and implemented first Parents as Teachers-affiliated program in Nebraska to set and uphold statewide quality standards.
- Assisted in developing agency strategic plans. Supported cross-functional teams to achieve organizational objectives.
- Facilitate the Anti-Racism Learning Group, embedding equitable practices into culture and operations.
- Facilitated growth of home visitation programs to enhance service delivery through effective contract negotiations and strengthened inter-agency collaborations.
- Developed and implemented portfolio-based performance strategies aimed at improving employee skills and retention rates.
- Constructed comprehensive logic models and evaluation frameworks to enhance operational outcomes and maintain program integrity.
- Developed and implemented operational strategies to enhance service delivery and program effectiveness.
- Led team in executing educational programs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and community needs.
- Oversaw daily operations, streamlining processes for increased efficiency and effectiveness.
Founder & Consultant
CARE Consulting, LLC
North Bend, NE
04.2017 - Current
- Advised early childhood leaders on best practices and strategic frameworks to drive organizational growth and improve educational outcomes.
- Facilitated leadership retreats aimed at driving strategic planning and ensuring cohesive team alignment for optimal system-level results.
- Supported program improvement initiatives by serving as a reliable observer and relationship coach.
- Developed strategic consulting frameworks to enhance client operational efficiency.
- Facilitated workshops and training sessions to improve client capabilities and knowledge transfer.
- Guided team members through periods of change by providing clear communication on expectations and objectives moving forward.
Early Development Network Lead Service Coordinator
Lincoln Public Schools
Lincoln, NE
07.2017 - 06.2020
- Managed team operations to deliver effective early intervention services, ensuring compliance with IDEA Part C regulations.
- Developed and implemented child find systems across the district to improve collaboration among agencies.
- Monitored and enforced compliance with state and federal requirements, ensuring thorough documentation and precise reporting.
- Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of new technologies into the existing network framework.
- Coordinated communication between families, educators, and support staff to ensure student needs are met.
- Served as a primary point of contact for clients, addressing inquiries, providing updates, and ensuring overall satisfaction with services rendered.
Adjunct Faculty
Metropolitan Community College
Omaha, NE
09.2006 - 05.2017
- Implemented educational curricula for foundational and advanced courses, contributing to the professional growth of Nebraska's early childhood workforce.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
Program Manager
Buffett Early Childhood Institute
Omaha, NE
02.2015 - 10.2015
- Managed execution of professional development systems in various districts, maintaining fidelity to the prescribed model.
- Led team of specialists to implement strategic planning and scheduling, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Coordinated efforts to ensure district alignment with strategic early childhood plan goals.
- Facilitated collaboration among diverse teams to design and execute innovative early childhood education initiatives.
- Fostered collaboration among stakeholders to ensure program goals align with community needs.
Program Specialist
Save the Children
Remote, Nebraska
09.2011 - 01.2015
- Coordinated and provided assistance for ESSS home visiting programs, ensuring effective service delivery across multiple districts statewide.
- Achieved successful budget planning and data analysis that optimized resource allocation. Delivered quality assessments that improved project standards. Developed competitive grant proposals that increased funding success rates.
- Facilitated the development of training sessions and educational resources aimed at improving early childhood coordination and teaching effectiveness.
- Engaged with cross-functional teams to establish and maintain alignment on project goals and objectives, driving successful outcomes.
- Developed and implemented outreach strategies to enhance engagement with community stakeholders and partners.
- Conducted evaluations of program outcomes, delivering strategic recommendations to support ongoing improvement efforts.
- Performed in-depth evaluations to identify deficiencies in service delivery, guiding program development initiatives.
- Optimized overall program performance through detailed analysis of data and assessment of critical performance metrics.
Executive Director
Creche Child Development Center
Omaha, NE
06.2009 - 08.2011
- Oversaw operations budgeting for HR curriculum and compliance to align with organizational goals. Cultivated marketing strategies and partnerships that enhanced enrollment figures.
- Directed strategic rebranding initiatives, enhancing mission logo identity and reinforcing donor relationships.
- Developed and implemented strategies to diversify revenue and strengthen financial health.
- Designed and launched innovative strategies to improve the effectiveness of child development programs.
- Managed financial resources to support program initiatives and maintain fiscal responsibility.
- Implemented strategies to guide staff during organizational changes, ensuring sustained morale and engagement during transitions.
- Cultivated strong relationships with board members by delivering regular updates on organizational progress.
- Led a diverse team of professionals to cultivate a collaborative work environment that enhances productivity.
- Engaged with donors, government representatives, and partner organizations to foster collaboration and secure essential financial support.
Education Specialist / Disability Coordinator
Dodge County Head Start
Fremont, NE
01.1998 - 01.2009
- Led efforts in curriculum development, staff oversight, and assessment system implementation to support educational excellence.
- Conducted in-depth analysis of program-wide assessment data to ensure compliance with governing bodies and federal review standards.
- Engaged with families to develop and implement effective student learning and engagement strategies.
- Implemented standardized assessment tools to systematically evaluate and assess student progress.
- Oversaw curriculum design processes to align educational content with state regulations and enhance learning outcomes.
- Engaged with parents and guardians to enhance understanding and support of educational goals and behavioral standards.
- Analyzed teaching practices and identified areas for improvement to elevate educational outcomes.
- Created a structured teacher hiring and training framework focused on motivating teachers and ensuring high performance levels.
Education
Master of Science - Human & Social Service Administration (Summa Cum Laude)
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NEB.S. - Human & Social Service Administration (Summa Cum Laude)
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NEA.A.S. - Early Childhood Education (With Honors)
Metropolitan Community College
Omaha, NESkills
- Strategic Planning
- Organizational Leadership
- Program Expansion
- Equity & Inclusion Strategy
- Budget & Contract Oversight
- Team Development
- Systems Innovation
- Data-Driven Decisions
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Public Speaking
- Policy Alignment
- Continuous Quality Improvement
Accomplishments
Speaking & Leadership Engagement:
Parents as Teachers International Conference (2024 & 2026 upcoming); Zero to Three Professional Development Institute (2015); Fremont Family Coalition - Executive Team; Zero2Eight Child Well-Being Team; Recharge for Resilience Conference Committee
Affiliations
- Nebraska AEYC
- Omaha AEYC
- National AEYC
- Zero to Three
- HighScope
SPEAKING & LEADERSHIP ENGAGEMENT
- Parents as Teachers International Conference (2024)
- Zero to Three Professional Development Institute (2015)
- Fremont Family Coalition — Executive Team
- Zero2Eight Child Well-Being Team
- Recharge for Resilience Conference Committee
Timeline
Children & Family Center Director
Nebraska Children's Home Society
11.2020 - Current
Early Development Network Lead Service Coordinator
Lincoln Public Schools
07.2017 - 06.2020
Founder & Consultant
CARE Consulting, LLC
04.2017 - Current
Program Manager
Buffett Early Childhood Institute
02.2015 - 10.2015
Program Specialist
Save the Children
09.2011 - 01.2015
Executive Director
Creche Child Development Center
06.2009 - 08.2011
Adjunct Faculty
Metropolitan Community College
09.2006 - 05.2017
Education Specialist / Disability Coordinator
Dodge County Head Start
01.1998 - 01.2009
Master of Science - Human & Social Service Administration (Summa Cum Laude)
Bellevue University
B.S. - Human & Social Service Administration (Summa Cum Laude)
Bellevue University
A.A.S. - Early Childhood Education (With Honors)
Metropolitan Community College