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Richards joined Jacobs in April 2019, where she identified operational improvements that transformed workplace culture from individual-focused to team-oriented collaboration. Her change management efforts quadrupled the team’s capacity and productivity, leading to her recognition with the 2023 PDX Excellence Award for Inspirational Influence from Jacobs staff.

Earlier in her career, Richards helped lead the Oregon Transportation Infrastructure Act III program for the Oregon Department of Transportation, contributing to people and team de-velopment. She currently manages Jacobs’ partnership with ODOT for fully outsourced de-sign management and construction of ADA ramp projects statewide.

As an environmental services lead on ODOT’s US97 North Bend Corridor Design-Build project – the state’s first design-build procurement in over a decade – Richards mentored con-tractors, design teams, and clients while providing conflict resolution expertise.

Richards actively supports disadvantaged business enterprises, mentoring women and minority-owned firms and integrating them into Jacobs’ project teams. She serves on mul-tiple boards, including Women Transportation Seminar as a board member and diversity and equity co-chair, the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs advisory board, and the American Council of Engineering Companies Oregon chapter legislative committee as chair. She’s also involved with Mpact as a board member, is a former GreenRoads board member, and is involved with the Westside Transportation Alliance, Clackamas County Business Alliance, Portland Chamber and the Westside Economic Alliance.

Richards leads student ministries at her church and volunteers with organizations combating human trafficking.