Shawna K. Richards is a native of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. She is a 1985 graduate of the territory’s public school system, having attended the Alexander Henderson Elementary School, Arthur Richards Junior High School and the Central High School. Ms. Richards earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Media Arts from Hampton University and a Master’s degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in Business and Organizational Communication from Emerson College. She has held the designation of Project Management Professional since 2015. Ms. Richards specializes in communications, policy, and project management and has almost 30 years of professional experience. She is the proud mother of Chasen A.D. Richards, a 2014 graduate of the St. Croix Educational Complex.

Ms. Richards is a longstanding advocate for educational equity in our public school system. She is presently serving her first term on the Virgin Islands Board of Education ton and is Chair of the Board’s Finance Committee, in addition to serving as Secretary.