Deborah Richardson has a 30-year track record in program development, administration, and fund-raising. Prior to her appointment as Chief Program Officer, Deborah was the CEO of The Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF). She has also served as the Vice President of Programs and Strategic Initiatives at AWF; Director of Program Development for Fulton County Juvenile Court; founding Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice Fund and Managing Director of the National Black Arts Festival.

As an advocate on child sexual exploitation, Deborah has designed leading programs for girls victimized by commercial sexual exploitation and is the co-author of "Ending Sex Trafficking of Children in Atlanta" (Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work, Spring 2007).