About Rich Harwood
Author, speaker, innovator
Rich Harwood’s perspective is unique – and urgently needed today. For nearly 35 years, he has dedicated his career to revitalizing the nation’s hardest-hit communities, transforming the world’s largest organizations, and reconnecting institutions like newsrooms and schools to their role in society. He has been recruited to solve some of the most difficult problems of our time, including being called into Newtown, Connecticut after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Rich has innovated and developed a new philosophy of Civic Faith and the practice of Turning Outward, helping communities bridge divides to solve problems and create a civic culture of shared responsibility. Thousands of community leaders, public officeholders, foundation and corporate executives, clergy, journalists, and government officials in all 50 states and 40 countries around the globe are using his approaches.
He is an inspiring, sought-after speaker who regularly keynotes major conferences. He appears regularly on major media outlets, such as MSNBC’s Meet the Press Daily, NPR’s All Things Considered, CNN, and Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post, and has written six books and numerous groundbreaking reports.
Rich can talk about how we can find real, actionable solutions to the overwhelming challenges we face today, including:
the conditions that lead to mass gun violence.
contentious education debates.
growing disparities.
a vacuum in our civic life.
Rich is the Founder and President of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, located in Bethesda, Maryland.
MEDIA REQUESTS
If you are a writer, editor, or producer and would like to request an interview for a story, podcast, or video with Rich, please contact Emnet Sisay, Media and Network Engagement Manager at esisay@theharwoodinstitute.org or 301.656.3669 ext. 1003.
Featured Media Appearances
Rich Harwood’s op-ed with Lindsay Fox, President/CEO of the United Way Fresno and Madera Counties in The Fresno Bee in conjunction with his November 2023 visit to Fresno, CA.
The Owensboro Times’ interview with Rich previewing the initiative with the Greater Owensboro Leadership Institute in Owensboro, Kentucky.
The Messenger-Inquirer’s coverage of Rich’s speech to kick off the initiative with the Greater Owensboro Leadership Institute in Owensboro, Kentucky.
14News coverage of the forum hosted by the Greater Owensboro Leadership Institute and The Harwood Institute in Owensboro, Kentucky.
Chuck Todd and Ben Collins with Rich Harwood on MSNBC’s Meet the Press Daily.
NPR's Michel Martin talks with Rich Harwood about his experiences working to help communities heal from loss and deep divisions — and how it relates to our current moment.
Rich Harwood joins All Things Considered’s Barbershop to discuss what reconciliation might look like for Virginia Gov. Northam.
Recent Publications
PBS NewsHour’s “America at a Crossroads” series’ feature-length segment on The Harwood Institute’s ongoing work in Alamance County and why the country needs a civic path forward, not more politics.
Rich Harwood’s latest for the Christian Citizen explores the role of faith leaders in civic life.
Rich Harwood details how Reading, PA is an example of what it looks like for a community to come together and build, especially at this time of such division, mistrust and lack of hope in our nation for the Fulcrum.
The Pensacola News Journal’s coverage of Rich’s “Enough. Time to Build.” campaign event with CivicCon on March 20.
Rich Harwood makes the case for a new kind of rally for the Fulcrum.
The Pensacola News Journal’s coverage of Rich’s “Enough. Time to Build.” campaign in advance of his event with CivicCon on March 20.
Podcast Appearances
Rich’s appearance on the CivicCast podcast with host Eduardo Lara.
Rich’s appearance on the Impact Boom podcast
Select books & reports
Media Coverage
PBS NewsHour’s “America at a Crossroads” series’ feature-length segment on The Harwood Institute’s ongoing work in Alamance County and why the country needs a civic path forward, not more politics.
Rich Harwood’s latest for the Christian Citizen explores the role of faith leaders in civic life.
Rich Harwood details how Reading, PA is an example of what it looks like for a community to come together and build, especially at this time of such division, mistrust and lack of hope in our nation for the Fulcrum.
The Pensacola News Journal’s coverage of Rich’s “Enough. Time to Build.” campaign event with CivicCon on March 20.
Rich Harwood makes the case for a new kind of rally for the Fulcrum.
The Pensacola News Journal’s coverage of Rich’s “Enough. Time to Build.” campaign in advance of his event with CivicCon on March 20.