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Theresita Richard

Theresita Richard (she/her) is a visionary and purpose-driven leader fiercely committed to expansive liberation, humanity, and possibility. She is on a mission to transform the world of work, cultivating environments where humans can flourish in their fullness. She is the Chief People & Culture Officer for Patagonia and brings over 20 years of experience in diversity, equity & inclusion, organizational effectiveness, experience design, operations leadership, and human resources. Previously Theresita led Capital One’s Global Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, where she drove the work to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging across the company. She currently serves on the board of Out & Equal, a global convener, thought leader, and catalyst actively working to embed equity and achieve workplaces of equality and belonging.

Theresita’s career has spanned the consumer goods, retail, and fintech industries and she has positively impacted the full range of organizations from building anew to broad-scale transformation. She is known for propelling organizations forward with a deep focus on talent, culture, and innovation. Theresita is adept at delivering holistic people strategies that ensure businesses are equipped and enabled to achieve their mission while unlocking thriving customer and employee experiences. She sees problems as opportunities and her goal is to always approach with curiosity, creating sustainable solutions for the future and challenging the status quo to solve needs in new and meaningful ways.

Theresita started her career in operations after earning her B.S. in Industrial Engineering & Operations Research from Cornell University. It was there that she discovered her passion for creating experiences around people and went on to pursue her M.A. in Human Resource Development from George Washington University. Over the years, she has worked with various Fortune 500 companies including Procter & Gamble, Target, Home Depot and Starbucks.

On a personal note, she loves great quotes, all things creative, impromptu dance breaks and real live books (there’s nothing like the smell of a new book). Her family is one of the best parts of her and they inspire her to be better every day. She is fueled by coffee and rich conversations (even better when those things come together) and is a lover of movement, color, texture, and depth…cue her deep passion for the arts and finding inspiration all around her.

One of her favorite quotes that she strives to live by is “As you think about your own path to daring leadership, remember Joseph Campbell’s wisdom: ‘The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.’ Own the fear, find the cave, and write a new ending for yourself, for the people you’re meant to serve and support, and for your culture. Choose courage over comfort. Choose whole hearts over armor. And choose the great adventure of being brave and afraid. At the exact same time.” – Brené Brown, Dare to Lead.

OUR VISION

Global workplaces where all people are equal, belong, and thrive.

OUR MISSION

Out & Equal is the global convener, thought leader and catalyst actively working to achieve workplaces of equality and belonging - supporting LGBTQ+ employees and leaders who thrive in their careers and lives and achieve greater impact on the world.