Frances Richardson - CEO / President
​
Frances was born and raised in Stockton to a loving Catholic family, learning the values of faith, education, creativity, hard work, and compassion from her parents. These values shaped and fueled her drive to build a life that gives back to others. Frances has dedicated her life to improve the way citizens work, live, and play in the abundant harvest of San Joaquin County by submerging herself in a multitude of nonprofits, community organizations, school districts, small and large businesses to improve the quality of life, education, and workforce for her hometown.
After graduating from the University of the Pacific, Frances was recruited by the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce to coordinate the award winning Business Education Alliance Program for her extensive research on charter schools. This opened a plethora of doors to serve over 40,000 students in the Stockton Unified School District with multiple evidence based youth development programs to become an avid volunteer with charities and small businesses. Frances brings her experience leading the $2.2 million investment by the Cortopassi Family Foundation (CFF) to pioneer the first nationwide scholarship for the Horatio Alger Association aimed at Vocational Certificates from 17 community colleges across California's Central Valley. In addition, she was able to scale to serve over 100,000 students throughout San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties with over $5.5 million gifted by CFF for their JobRedi Foundation for underserved high school graduates pursuing paid internships with over 50 top ranking companies, monthly life skills workshops, and education. Frances has been awarded the International Athena Young Professional Leadership Award (2019), Wonder Woman of San Joaquin Award (2016), More Than 40 Under 40 of San Joaquin County Award (2015), and the San Joaquin A+ Spirit of Literacy Library Program Award - Little Free Libraries Stockton (2014).
Ultimately, Frances knew she wanted to commit herself to a cause that would both ignite her passion and utilize the skills she had learned throughout her life. The Ah-ha moment for Frances took place after she was invited by the Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) to experience The Lisa Project. That day she made a commitment to change the life of foster children. As a National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Frances underwent extensive training and became an officer of the court so she may speak on behalf of a foster child in San Joaquin County. Frances made it her mission to spread awareness to all who would listen.
Frances was blessed to join forces with longtime friends who had the same goal in mind to serve God's children in need when they created Love Unlocked formerly known as Women Walking In Purpose. As both the CEO and President, Frances is blessed to be a part of such a strong group of women who serve God and whose mission is to empower and enrich the lives of foster youth, aged out foster youth, and trafficked victims by instilling hope, joy, and love to find their God-given purpose in life. Frances has spent countless hours creating programs, curriculum and events to prepare the most vulnerable populations with the life skills they need to guide them on their journey to become successful and active individuals in society.
