Ruthann Richardson

Ruthann is the new Head of Fundraising for Act for Peace (AfP) and has been working in that role since June 2017. Ruthann and her team are responsible for raising the funds needed to support the Act for Peace programs around the world. This includes many different activities, including the mail and online appeals, and of course the Christmas Bowl which Ruthann and her team are busy planning for at this time of the year.

Ruthann feels exceptionally lucky to be working for AfP as prior to being employed here was one of our generous supporters. She is really passionate about the work the AfP team are doing and the partnership model through which they work. 

Having worked in fundraising for a long time, Ruthann is proud to be able to use her talents to make the world a better place.  Ruthann spent the last 8 years working for direct response fundraising agency Pareto Fundraising, and before moving to Sydney in 2011, she worked in fundraising in Canada and the US.

Ruthann sees her role as being about engaging supporters by motivating and providing them with the means to support the AfP programs. She says, “Our partners are doing some AMAZING work, and I think it’s really exciting that our supporters have the opportunity to be a part of that, through a financial gift.”   Ruthann feels it is her job to find the most efficient and effective way of helping them do that.  Part of that is through the existing programs, like the Christmas Bowl, and the other is finding new opportunities that may be appealing to AfP supporters. Over the next 12 months Ruthann and her team will be refining and growing the Regular Giving and Bequest programs, while continuing to strengthen the other existing products.

Ruthann says that her faith is of great importance to her. She has attended a few different churches, but currently is part of an Anglican congregation.

When she is not working, Ruthann’s time is occupied being the mother of an ‘almost’ 7 year old. She says that she loves to ‘hang out’ with her daughter and they spend a lot of time together, hiking, undertaking art projects, baking or trying new cafes. Incidentally, Ruthann also loves to cook and travel. 

Ruthann has great admiration for her young daughter, who she says at just 7 years old “is strong, courageous, resilient and kind.” Being a mother, she is constantly reminded to slow down and appreciate the little things, to ignore her phone or computer and pay attention to what is going on around her. She says that she has learned a lot from her daughter and is daily being taught new things. Ruthann says of her daughter, “She makes me laugh, keeps me dancing, and always manages to find the good in any situation.”