Ruth Richardson is the inaugural Executive Director of ASRA, designed to contribute to the emerging field of systemic risk analysis and response with particular attention to helping decision-makers better understand, assess, and incorporate sensitivity to systemic risks into their decision-making. Prior to this, Richardson was the Executive Director of the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, a unique collaboration of over 25 foundations committed to food systems transformation. In this capacity she was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to the Advisory Committee for the 2021 Food Systems Summit and as Chair, Champions Network.

She also served on the Advisory Board of the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS) as well as on the Steering Committee of TEEBAgriFood led by UN Environment. Bringing over 25 years of  experience devoted professionally to social change and planetary health, Richardson has also had the privilege to act as first Director of the Unilever Canada Foundation, Founding Chair of the Canadian Environmental Grantmakers’ Network, the first Environment Director at the Metcalf Foundation, and a lead consultant to establish The Circle on Philanthropy and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada. In 2020, Richardson was awarded 2021 Alumni of Influence by her alma mater, University of Toronto, Canada.