Richelle K. Smith brings more than 15 years of experience in the field of organizational leadership and has built upon that experience as the director of METCO for Arlington Public Schools. Last school year Richelle served as the Assistant Principal at the Arlington Public Schools' Ottoson Middle School. A natural leader, with experience in public and higher education, social services, and DEI, Richelle prides herself in serving marginalized populations through initiatives including facilitating strength-based workshops and serving on
collaborative leadership teams. Richelle is also an adjunct professor teaching an honors public speaking course to undergraduates of different concentrations.

While earning her Master of Social Work with certification in Urban Leadership and Clinical Social Work from Simmons University, Richelle also served as a Dean's Fellow to the Dean of Community Engagement and Social Justice, and led student focused discussions on antiracist practices within the school setting. She also received a Simmons University School of Social Work Community Service Award for her work in the community during the height of the pandemic. Richelle was the first graduate alum to lead Simmons University’s Black Alumni Symposium.

Richelle also served as the Vice President of the executive board of Simmons University's African American Alumni Association, the Professional Development Chair of the METCO Directors Association, and a member of the Simmons University DEI alumni executive board. Richelle also served on the Goodwill HELP Program board helping to advise programmatic changes for adults reentering the workforce. In 2018 Richelle received a public hero acknowledgement from the Boston Public Health Commission for her work in the community and in homeless services.

Compelled by her passion to serve others, Richelle aspires to one day run
for a political seat. Until then, she maintains her commitment to creating equitable practices and
experiences for the students and families she serves.