Sara Richins
Constructing a Stronger community
The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle forms a nexus where corporations and colleges come together with nonprofit leaders to strengthen community. The Urban League’s program to advance historically underused contracting businesses dovetailed perfectly with Sara Richins’ construction management experience.
Through a one-year fellowship on the Urban League’s board of directors, she had an opportunity to network with civic leaders while contributing her business skills toward the organization’s economic development activities. “The Urban League works to bridge the gap between what contractors need and what businesses can provide," Richins described.
“Sara’s experience was a great match for the board of directors," said Urban League president and CEO James Kelly. “She provided valuable feedback to the director of our Contractor Development and Competitiveness Center about how to assess project viability, how to prepare bids and how to determine profit margins." Sara also contributed insight on the financials, schedules, design and layout for one of the Urban League’s major construction projects: converting the historic Colman School into the Northwest African American Museum.
The Urban League has partnered with the University of Washington’s Business and Economic Development Center to offer board fellowships for second year MBA students for the past three years. Business School students also participate in economic development internships. “The Urban League represents a range of businesses, from mom and pop operations to multi-million-dollar companies," described Kelly. “It’s a great experience for business students to have direct, hands-on experience interacting with members of the community and building complex projects from the ground up."
Richins said she learned a great deal about effective leadership serving on the board. In addition to meeting senior executives from Macy’s, Boeing, Microsoft and Starbucks along with local government officials, she experienced the power of civic involvement firsthand. “It was very rewarding to be a part of the Urban League’s mission to bring different communities together."