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Ambassador Randolph Marshall Bell
President
Ambassador Randolph Marshall Bell was appointed President of the First Freedom Center in April of 2010. He possesses a long and distinguished record of diplomatic and public service. He is the former Ambassador-at-Large and Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues for the United States Department of State (2002-2003). He served also as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for NATO and Bilateral Affairs, Bureau of European Affairs (2001); Director, German, Austrian and Swiss Affairs (2001-2002); Acting Ambassador, U.S. Embassy, Bern (1999-2000); Director, UK, Ireland and Benelux Affairs (1996-1999); Director, Russian and Eurasian Analysis, Bureau of Intelligence and Research (1993-1996); Counselor for Political Affairs, U.S. Embassy Brussels (1989-1993); and as Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs, U.S. Embassy, Prague (1985-1988).
Ambassador Bell led the U.S. team that helped organize the London Conference on Nazi Gold in December 1997, negotiated the successful closeout of the postwar Tripartite Gold Commission, and also played an important role in establishing the $61-million Nazi Persecutee Relief Fund. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the German Foundation, “Remembrance, Responsibility and Future”, and as an observer to the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims. He is currently on the board of the Virginia Holocaust Museum and a member of the International Council of Austrian Service Abroad. In 2004, Ambassador Bell received the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria from the Austrian Order of the Silver Star. From 2003-2009, Ambassador Bell was President of the World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond. He is a graduate of The College of William and Mary and of Cambridge University.
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Isabelle Kinnard Richman, JD, Ph.D.
Vice President for Education
Isabelle Kinnard Richman came to the First Freedom Center in 2004. She brings a passion for and a thorough knowledge of the history and current state of religious freedom in America as she plans and implements the education programs, designs exhibits, and stimulates web learning. She promotes knowledge about and understanding of religious freedom through her lectures and presentations, a weekly religious freedom news roundup, and the First Freedom Awards. Dr. Kinnard received her Ph.D. in Religion (Medieval Church History) from the University of Chicago Divinity School, then taught Religion at the College of William and Mary and at Northwestern University. Dr. Kinnard received her BA from the University of Chicago in 1985, and a J.D. from DePaul University Law School in 1988. She is a member of the Illinois Bar, and practiced law in Chicago for five years. Dr. Kinnard is a citizen of the United States and of France, and is the mother of two young children.
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Sharon Durham
Chief Financial Officer/Human Resources Dir.
Ms. Durham joined the staff in March of 2006. In her position as CFO/HRD, she is responsible for the controls, management, and reporting of the Center’s financial and administrative matters. She also serves as the Human Resource Director, with responsibility for developing and implementing employee policies and managing the organization’s employee relations.
Prior to joining the First Freedom Center, Ms. Durham held the position of Executive V.P. Finance/HR for Lumber, Inc., an international electronics manufacturer. She was the number two person of the senior management team responsible for the US division’s growth and development from a three person Sales/Distribution activity to a 100-person Sales/Manufacturing Operation.
Ms. Durham is a native Richmonder, with an entrepreneurial spirit, who has worked and travels both nationally and internationally.
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Chris Payton
Development Officer
Chris Payton joined First Freedom Center in 2010 to help the organization maintain and expand its base of financial support. As the Center institutes dynamic programs to advance its mission, he seeks to connect them to individuals and organizations that are equally as passionate about First Amendment freedoms.
Mr. Payton left the business sector in 2006 to follow his desire to promote positive social change. Following two years as Fund Development Manager at William Byrd Community House, he began his own business to concentrate on grant writing, for which he has a strong affinity. In this capacity, he helped a variety of Richmond area nonprofits to successfully position themselves for grant funding. Mr. Payton is honored to be working with the First Freedom Center to advance religious freedom and freedom of conscience around the world—principles which undergird the polity of free nations. Happily married to the artist Susan Singer, with a child and three step-children, he also enjoys poetry and kayaking.
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Sandra M. Poulsen
Outreach Programs Coordinator
Ms. Poulsen joined the First Freedom Center staff in 1996. She implements the National First Freedom Student Competition; manages and communicates with the National Program Advisory Board, Education and Programs Committee and teacher focus groups; participates in and represents the Center in short-term, off-site educational programs; and assists the Education Director with correspondence and other administrative tasks.
Since the late 1960’s, Ms. Poulsen has served as student coach, judge and organizer for middle- and high-school competitions within the western and southern United States. She has taught elementary through high-school age children and conducted research at the university level for comparative analysis of education programs and strategies. Ms. Poulsen has been active in interfaith relations in Central Virginia and been a youth speaker, primarily addressing peer relations and other areas of general teen interest.
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