Holly Richardson

Holly Richardson

Editor, Utah Policy, Host, Inside Sources, Deseret News/KSL

Salt Lake City, Utah

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Speaker levelProfessional Speaker

Primary sectorsGovernment & public sector · Media, marketing & communications · Nonprofit & philanthropy

Utah focusYes

About

Dr. Holly Richardson is a writer, speaker, humanitarian, and world traveler. Her first academic degree was as a Registered Nurse, then after a 30-year break from school, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication focusing on Public Relations, followed by a Master’s degree in Professional Communication and earned her Ph.D. in Political Science, focusing on nonprofit administration and international relations. A former Republican member of the Utah House of Representatives, she has been actively involved in Utah politics for more than 20 years. She has been a regular newspaper columnist for more than 9 years, is the editor of Utah Policy, a daily newsletter and the cohost of Inside Sources, a daily radio show on KSL.

Read the extended bio

Dr. Holly Richardson is in the people business! She knows to her core that her story and her perspective is only one of many. We can learn something from everyone. She believes that all people have rich histories and stories that need to be heard, validated and celebrated. She loves teaching and supporting the development and success of others.

With over 20 years of experience in communication, public affairs, public policy and humanitarian work, Holly is passionate about sharing stories and news that informs, inspires, and engages the public. As the editor at Utah Policy, columnist at the Deseret News, and host of Inside Sources, her mission is to share stories and news that matter, and to foster a constructive and respectful dialogue among diverse audiences.

She has a PhD in Political Science from the University of Utah, where she researched the impact of burnout on volunteer humanitarian team leaders. She also has a master's degree in Professional Communication from Southern Utah University, and a bachelor's degree in Communication/Public Relations from Utah Valley University.

In addition to her editorial role, she is also an Advisory Council member for The Dignity Index, an organization committed to preventing violence, easing divisions and solving problems. She also adjuncts at local universities.

Additionally, she has been on multiple international humanitarian trips, working to provide humanitarian aid to refugees and displaced people around the world. She is also the mother to a large and diverse family of 19 living children, 25 total.

Speaking formats

Experience level

Professional Speaker

Frequent / professional speaker (10+ speaking engagements in the last 2–3 years)

Topics & expertise

Civic & Community

  • Civic engagement & public service
  • Community organizing & coalition building
  • Nonprofit leadership & governance
  • Public policy & legislative processes
  • Running for office / political campaigns

Communication & Storytelling

  • Cross-cultural communication
  • Difficult conversations & feedback
  • Digital presence & thought leadership (LinkedIn, etc.)
  • Media training & interviews
  • Public speaking & presentation skills
  • Storytelling with data

Culture/HR & Talent

  • Handling burnout, morale dips & “quiet quitting”
  • Psychological safety & belonging at work

Entrepreneurship & Startups

  • Founder mental health & resilience

Functional Expertise

  • Communications & PR

Gender & Equity

  • Gender lens on policy & community decisions
  • Intersectionality (race, gender, class, etc.)
  • Motherhood, caregiving & careers
  • Return-to-work / re-entry after career breaks
  • “Prove-it-again” bias & promotion barriers

Industry Expertise

  • Government & public sector
  • Media, marketing & communications
  • Nonprofit & philanthropy

Technology & Innovation

  • Tech for social impact

Utah & Regional Issues

  • Faith, culture & work in Utah
  • Mountain West / regional issues
  • Women’s leadership in Utah

Wellbeing & Personal Growth

  • Boundary-setting & saying no
  • Burnout prevention & recovery
  • Confidence, impostor syndrome & self-advocacy
  • Habit building & personal productivity
  • Mental health at work
  • Mindfulness & stress management
  • Resilience & navigating change
  • Values-based career design
  • Work–life integration

Other

  • non-traditional career paths

Signature talks

  • Hope Works: Lessons in Love: https://youtu.be/TAOkjpS-Km0?si=VedUjK_pqGv6imVE
  • TedX: When Following Your Heart Leads to Burnout: https://youtu.be/7zqdzyo_cg8?si=ONZD5sVEoI0uamKl
  • TedX: Cross the Ocean or Cross the Street: https://youtu.be/kbjBBhT-yqg?si=dlz_NJC0wOvgCDaa

Media & video

  • Host | Inside Sources | KSL Newsradio | Every weekday
  • “A Woman’s View,” KSL | 06/2025, 02/2025, 10/2024, 07/2024
  • “Elevate” Podcast | Women’s Leadership Institute | 04/2024
  • Church News Podcast | 05/2023
  • UVU “Women in Business Impact Lab” Podcast | 03/2023, 04/2021
  • “Relentlessly Resilient” | KSL | 08/2021

Selected engagements

  • “Dealing with Burnout in Today’s Political Environment,”Mormon Women for Ethical Government Leadership Training · UVU · 03/2025
  • “Navigating the Double Bind for Women Leaders,”UVU Women’s Executive Leadership Program · UVU · 06/2024, 05/2024, 11/2023, 05/2023, 11/2022
  • “Working within the Utah political system,”Mormon Women for Ethical Government Leadership Training · UVU · 03/2024
  • “Teaching Media Literacy,” Alpine School DistrictAmerican Fork, UT · 04/2024
  • “Media and Messaging,” Utah Women Run Winter ConferenceHinckley Institute of Politcs · 01/2023

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