Build The Future We Want
Finding Purpose
My mom tries to “save the world” is how my then nine-year-old son described my profession during an exercise at school that asked students to talk about their parents’ jobs. This innocent declaration continues to remind me not only of the value of the unconventional path I forged to discover my purpose but also of the importance of overcoming challenges and doubts as I continue this journey. My son is counting on me to save the world, and, inadvertently, so too are future generations relying on all of us. It’s a duty I take seriously, and I am always ready and available to connect with others who believe they have a role to play as well.
Let’s work together to “save the world” and build the future we want.
Let's
Save The World,
Together
Melanie J. Richards is registered as a Supervised Entity with the Financial Intelligence Unit Trinidad and Tobago (FIUTT) and is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) with the Registrar General’s Department.
Melanie J Richards Consulting is registered on The Office of Procurement Regulation (OPR) Procurement Depository as a supplier providing “Consulting services including research, training and capacity building in Sustainability, Social Impact, Non-Profit Governance, Law and related services”.
Sustainability
& Social Impact
My vision of promoting sustainable and responsible business practices across organisations continues through Melanie J. Richards Consulting, where I work with business to create value, while leaving a positive impact on society and the environment. My goal is to ensure my clients have the tools and resources to achieve long-term success in this continually evolving area.
Social impact is an important subset of the sustainability agenda and is aimed at managing the intended and unintended consequences of any intervention on the human environment. My focus here is on the wellbeing of individuals, communities and environments working with clients in the private and public sectors, as well as civil society throughout the Caribbean region, conducting social impact assessments aimed at protecting the most vulnerable groups, at higher risk of harm or exclusion.
Advocating for
Civil Society
The work of NGOs is a labour of love and doing the core work needed in this sector, while navigating the continually evolving legal and regulatory landscape can be challenging. After working for years with civil society, supporting various NGOs through training, capacity building, project monitoring and evaluation, I have a keen awareness and understanding of the workings and needs of this impactful sector.
My passion here is to support the development of an effective and efficient civil society, through fit for purpose legislation and regulation, and also through strong systems of self-governance.
My work with the sector supports legal and regulatory compliance including registration, annual filings, and other obligations as well as research on civil society governance.
Read my latest report produced for The Cropper Foundation exploring the impact of recent legislative amendments on Non-Profit Organisations in Trinidad and Tobago.
Melanie J. Richards is registered as a Supervised Entity with the Financial Intelligence Unit Trinidad and Tobago (FIUTT) and is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) with the Registrar General’s Department.
Words From People I've Worked With
Partnerships and Development Finance Officer and Former Head of Resident Coordinator Office, United Nations Trinidad and Tobago
“Melanie Richards is a standout professional—strategic, meticulous, and deeply effective. At the UN, she led private sector engagement on impactful CSR, trained business leaders in ESG integration, and developed practical tools now widely used. She excels in project management, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable business strategy, and is highly respected across the UN system.”
Chairman, United Way TT
“Melanie Richards possesses a unique blend of first class smarts, deep and thorough knowledge of the governance structure and framework applicable to the NGO sector. She has been a brilliant source of underground wisdom together with a progressive sense of realism and compassion, that puts her in a unique, if not, commanding position to provide legal, as well as responsible and sustainable corporate and NGO advice at the highest level. “