Ottavia Richardson
Washington,DC
Summary
Business Development and Capture Leader with 12 years of experience in securing federal contracts across DOD, DHS, and civilian agencies. Proven ability to build strong relationships with customers and stakeholders, fostering lasting partnerships. Expertise in navigating complex negotiations and closing high-value deals with strategic insight.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Capture Strategist
OneGlobe
Washington Dc, DC
05.2025 - Current
- Direct strategic positioning for DoD, DHS, DOJ, and VA opportunities, focusing on win themes, discriminators, and how OneGlobe stands out in the market.
- Develop and implement capture strategy and management processes, establishing consistent routines, roles, and artifacts to improve capture execution.
- Build capture timelines and milestone plans to drive disciplined shaping, decision gates, and proposal readiness across active pursuits.
- Create and standardize capture tools and templates to document capture plans, customer insights, competitive context, and win strategies.
- Lead facilitation of capture strategy storyboarding sessions to align stakeholders on win themes, discriminators, solution approach, and messaging.
- Liaise with small business offices across priority agencies to support market engagement, relationship building, and opportunity identification.
- Serve as a contributing writer on live proposals, supporting compliance and narrative development for pursuits across DHS, DoD, and DOJ mission areas.
- Execute business development activities to advance opportunities, including conference participation, client meetings, direct customer outreach, and targeted follow-up.
Business Development and Capture Director
Bixal Solutions
Washington D.C., DC
05.2021 - 03.2025
- Led growth strategy for federal civilian agencies across core capabilities: Technology, Data, Organization Development, UX Design, Strategic Communications.
- Analyzed market trends and agency priorities to build a robust pipeline of business development opportunities.
- Established strong capture strategies with high win probabilities for new initiatives.
- Managed capture efforts and live proposals on up to six priority proposals valued at $95M.
- Oversaw cradle-to-grave proposal processes, including technical solutions, team coordination, staffing, and pricing.
- Facilitated solution design sessions among SMEs to define technical approaches and competitive differentiators.
- Mentored capture managers and market research analysts within specific portfolios to enhance performance.
- Coached staff on business development best practices and compliance as a USG and FAR expert.
Manager, Strategic Growth
Palladium Group International
Washington D.C.
07.2018 - 04.2021
- Developed and executed strategies for US federal contracts valued at up to $1 billion.
- Analyzed competitive landscapes and facilitated design approaches for technical and management solutions.
- Cultivated relationships with government agencies and strategic partners to maintain engagement.
- Oversaw a business development team of four, enhancing skills across departments for opportunity identification.
- Managed opportunity pipeline, reporting insights to executive partners regarding resource needs and costs.
- Led proposal reviews to ensure effective win strategies were articulated and implemented.
- Contributed as a writer and assistant capture manager for priority government proposals.
Senior Associate, Middle East
DAI Global
Washington Dc, DC
12.2013 - 04.2015
- Facilitated successful implementation of two USAID funded programs, Jordan Fiscal Reform II and Palestine Effective Governance, through US headquarters operational and programmatic support.
Senior Business Development Specialist, Middle East
DAI Global LLC
Washington D.C.
12.2013 - 04.2015
- Executed proposal pre-positioning, design, and submission, collaborating with proposal and technical teams to secure winning bids.
- Led recruitment efforts for USAID proposals totaling $123 million in Middle East region, managing candidate sourcing, negotiations, staffing plans, and personnel chapter drafting.
- Conducted new business scoping activities in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon up to three times annually.
- Developed training curriculum for DAI staff on business development and recruitment, emphasizing local sourcing and USAID compliance.
- Served as program start-up specialist upon contract award, establishing overseas offices and directing recruitment, subcontract negotiations, project operations, and financial management.
Program Specialist
American University Key Leadership Programs
Washington D.C.
01.2012 - 12.2013
- Oversaw federal leadership training programs, encompassing curriculum development and on-site classes for Senior Executive Service (SES) candidates.
Public Advocacy Research Assistant
The Abraham Fund Initiatives
Jerusalem, Israel
05.2011 - 07.2011
- Executed research on Arab Israeli economic opportunities within Israel and identified areas for enhancement presented to Bank of Israel.
Financial Aid Representative
Corinthian Colleges Inc. Everest College
Dallas, TX
10.2009 - 12.2010
- Enabled financial aid process, from initial discussion to loan disbursement, for underserved continuing education candidates.
Assistant Editor
United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization
Rome, Italy
02.2009 - 05.2009
- Managed publications database for articles on nutrition, biodiversity, and food security in developing countries.
Microfinance Fellow
The World Bank
Washington D.C.
06.2008 - 08.2008
- Investigated financial literacy and social marketing initiatives in developing countries facilitating effective communication of various financial services to underprivileged populations.
Education
MA - International Development
American University
Washington, D.C.01.2013
BA - International Affairs
John Cabot University
Rome, Italy01.2009
BA - International Affairs
University of Wales
Wales, UK01.2009
Skills
- Business Development
- Capture Management
- Client Relationship Management
- Compliance Standards
- Database Management
- DEI in the Workplace
- Editing
- FAR
- Financial Aid
- Financial Services
- GSA
- International Development
- Leadership Training
- Market Research
- Market Trends Analysis
- Microsoft Office Suite
- OASIS
- Project Implementation
- Proposal Writing
- Racial Equity
- Relationship Building
- Research
- Social Marketing Research
- Strategic Communications
- Strategic Planning
- Team Management
- Training Curriculum Development
- UX Design
Certification
DEI in the Workplace, 01/2021, University of South Florida, Muma College of Business
Timeline
Capture Strategist
OneGlobe
05.2025 - Current
Business Development and Capture Director
Bixal Solutions
05.2021 - 03.2025
Manager, Strategic Growth
Palladium Group International
07.2018 - 04.2021
Senior Associate, Middle East
DAI Global
12.2013 - 04.2015
Senior Business Development Specialist, Middle East
DAI Global LLC
12.2013 - 04.2015
Program Specialist
American University Key Leadership Programs
01.2012 - 12.2013
Public Advocacy Research Assistant
The Abraham Fund Initiatives
05.2011 - 07.2011
Financial Aid Representative
Corinthian Colleges Inc. Everest College
10.2009 - 12.2010
Assistant Editor
United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization
02.2009 - 05.2009
Microfinance Fellow
The World Bank
06.2008 - 08.2008
MA - International Development
American University
BA - International Affairs
John Cabot University
BA - International Affairs
University of Wales