Welcoming Patrick Riccards to the Children’s Trust

The Children’s Trust, Massachusetts’ child abuse prevention agency, recently announced that Patrick Riccards has joined the organization as Chief External Affairs Officer. With a career spanning more than 25 years in communications, public policy, and nonprofit leadership, Riccards brings a deep understanding of building awareness and understanding of complex issues, shaping policy conversations, and strengthening partnerships to drive systemic change.

As Chief External Affairs Officer, Riccards will lead the organization’s communications, government affairs, external partnerships, and development. His work will focus on raising visibility of the Children’s Trust’s mission to address the root causes of child abuse and neglect, advancing key policy priorities that change systems to support families, and overseeing the organization’s fundraising strategy.

“Patrick’s arrival marks a key moment for our organization as we shift our approach to child abuse and neglect to focus on addressing the root causes and strengthening the systems that support families,” said Jennifer Valenzuela, Executive Director of the Children’s Trust. “He is someone who understands how to navigate the intersection of policy, advocacy, and community work. We look forward to the positive impact his work will have on families in Massachusetts.”

Riccards is well known for his leadership at mission-driven organizations focused on equity, education, and public health. Most recently, he served as CEO of Life After Hate, a national nonprofit helping people leave violent extremist groups and build productive lives. Under his leadership, the organization expanded its reach, secured critical federal support, and deepened its impact in communities nationwide.

Previously, Riccards served as Chief Communications and Strategy Officer for the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, where he led national campaigns to elevate teacher preparation and STEM education. He was also CEO of the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN), where he helped drive education policy reforms and build a statewide advocacy network. He has also served as the communications director for U.S. Rep. John Olver (MA-1) and was on the leadership team for the High Meadows Graduate School of Education, built in collaboration with MIT. He has served as an advisor for Jobs for the Future, Fitchburg State University, UMASS Memorial Health, Crane Paper, New England College of Finance, and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

“I’ve spent my career working to improve outcomes for children and families, and I see this role as a powerful continuation of that commitment,” Riccards said. “I believe in the mission of the Children’s Trust and the importance of systems change. I’m excited to help tell the story of this work, engage more people in it, and advocate for policies and partnerships that make it possible.”

Riccards began his career on Capitol Hill and has advised presidential administrations, governors, education commissioners, nonprofit CEOs, and foundation leaders on how to communicate complex issues with clarity and purpose. He is also the author of several publications and blog posts about education, public policy, nonprofit strategy, and leadership.

Riccards earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and completed the Non-Profit Leaders Executive Education Program at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He received his doctorate from the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, focusing his award-winning academic research on the value of a learn-from-failure mindset. He lives in Worcester, MA, with his wife, Dr. Jennifer Riccards, and their two children.

About the Children’s Trust

The Children’s Trust is a public-private organization working toward a Massachusetts free from child abuse and neglect. We partner with organizations and communities to drive systemic change to address the root causes of abuse and neglect so that all children can grow up in thriving families. Learn more at childrenstrustma.org.