Introducing Helena Richardson, AF’s New Member Guide!

Helena Ramírez Richardson is a national coalition builder, outreach specialist, and programming advisor. 

Helena spent ten years in Washington, D.C. in government affairs, led youth efforts at the most impactful conservative think tank in the world, and brought Hispanics and Latinos into the conservative movement. She is now a full time mother of three who advises liberty-minded organizations and causes. 

Helena formerly led the Heritage Foundation’s efforts to develop college campus outreach, young professional engagement, the prestigious internship program, and launched The Academy, a virtual leadership program that reached over 1,000 young professionals in its first year.

She also worked at The LIBRE Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting free market principles in the Hispanic community. Helena oversaw coalition building with students, young professionals, and families in North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. Richardson worked in a boutique government relations firm, and in the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute where she oversaw leadership development and congressional outreach.

In 2015, she was named to Forbes “30 Under 30” in Law and Policy.

Richardson was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, grew up in Miami, Florida, and is fluent in Spanish. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at Florida International University where she served as a University Trustee representing 44,000 students her graduating year.

Helena lives in South Florida with her husband Jordan, and their three children: James, Rosalía, and Ezra.

1. What do you enjoy about your career path so far, and why?

In my various roles I have had the pleasure to mentor a lot of people.  From working with thousands of young people when I was at Heritage to meeting with Latino business owners to discuss free market principles, helping others to realize their God-given potential is what excites me most. 

2. Why did you decide to work with America’s Future?

There’s a professional development gap in the freedom and liberty movement that America’s Future fills! The ability to help young professionals work on ideas, meet with thought leaders, engage and encourage local entrepreneurs are things that AF does well and I want more people to know about it!

3. What are you most excited about in the role?

AF Membership will provide incredible opportunities for exclusive programming, intimate discussions, and city catered engagements. I’m excited to see what we can do together!

4. What helpful skills do you have that people could ask you for advice on?

Outreach, programming, coalition building, mentorship, marriage, and motherhood. I have learned a lot from my roles, projects, programs, and interactions. 

My favorite role and topic has come to light in the last 4 years with motherhood, but I’m learning more as each day passes!

5. Book recommendations?

Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi is an incredible book that showcases how you can stand out in a crowd. Networking and relationship building while being authentic is not an easy task, but you find your groove from books like this one and by practicing!

6. Coffee order?

When in Miami, a cortadito with evaporated milk. 

When at home, an Ethiopian pour-over made by my husband.

7. Favorite places to travel?

Give me a car and make sure it’s with my husband and it’ll become my new favorite trip. We did an epic road trip that started in Vegas and went up all of California some years back and it was beautiful.