Yvette Richards serves as the Heartland District Director of Lay Servant Ministry and as Director of Community Connections and Missions at St. James UMC. She has taught many courses for UMW retreats and traveled the world, providing Leadership insight. Ms Richards is a John Maxwell Team Member, certified in Coaching, Leadership, Training and Speaking.  She holds a Bachelor’s in Mass Communications from North Carolina A&T State University (1985), a Master’s in Leadership Develop from Walden University (2013), a Master’s in Christian Ministry from United Theological Seminary (2019) and a Doctoral of Ministry from United Theological Seminary (2022)