Stephanie Richards, MPH [Program Coordinator]

What are your current positions?

Stephanie showing off her aerial skills!

I am the program coordinator for both the Wisconsin Population Health Service Fellowship and the Healthy Wisconsin Leadership Institute (HWLI). In addition to trying to be super organized, I've really enjoyed developing a social media plan for HWLI, helping to revise HWLI's evaluation plan, and participating in the Fellowship monthly meetings.

What is your educational background?

I earned my Bachelors of Social Work in 2009 from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 2012, I finished my Master’s of Public Health at UW-Madison. I really value all the jobs I’ve had during my education and believe those are how I’ve learned the most.

Throughout the last 10 years, I’ve lived and worked at a homeless shelter, evaluated substance abuse treatment programs for mothers at risk of losing custody of their children and folks experiencing chronic homelessness, trained and coached process improvement collaboratives in 8 states, studied apps designed to support folks in recovery, worked with communities to help older adults stay in their place of choice safer and longer, and helped state departments of behavioral health change policies to make better use of technology in treatment. So, I am really excited to work with the Fellowship program because it is designed to help Fellows develop skills while doing super awesome work!

What are your long-term plans, career-wise?

Long-term, my dream job would maximize all of my passions and skills, i.e., using technology, quality improvement, and research to spread circus communities all over the world! In the shorter term, I’m really excited to dig deeper into the HWLI work and hone my skills with coaching communities.

What are your favorite things about living in Madison?

My favorite things about living in Madison are: 1) the Madison Circus Space (my second home) and my circus community, 2) bike-ability (I recently got rid of my car), 3) access to water and nature, 4) really good food and coffee (Johnson Public House, Sal’s pizza, Weary Traveler, Natt Spil, Forequarter, etc. etc.), and 5) outdoor events—summer music festivals, rooftop cinema, concerts on the square, etc. I moved here intending to stay for a year or two; it’s been 7, and I think you can see why! 

What do you like to do for fun?

Fly! I spend most of my spare time at the Madison Circus Space doing aerial silks, trapeze, rings, and pole. I practice yoga regularly and really love acroyoga or partner yoga. I also run a small business designing custom apparel for aerialists and other movers. When I’m not upside down or in my studio, I’m finding ways to eat my CSA veggies, enjoying a sunset at my secret sunset spot, or cruising around town on my super awesome pink bike. Never a dull moment!