“We are delighted and overwhelmed with gratitude as we watch Emily step into this role that she so clearly has been prepared for,” said Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman. “It has been a joy and pleasure to watch her grow into the leader she has become within the Show Hope family and the larger adoption and orphan care community.” 

Richards began her career with Show Hope more than 10 years ago, and in 2017 she was named vice president and assistant executive director. Although she has been a part of the Show Hope team in an official capacity since 2008, Richards’ passion for adoption and drive to care for orphans began years before when she was 11 years old. 

Following a mission trip to Haiti, God planted a seed in young Emily’s heart that would lead her to champion the idea of adoption in her family—an idea that would ultimately result not only in the adoption of three daughters from China, but the creation of Show Hope, an organization with the mission “to care for orphans by engaging the Church and reducing barriers to adoption.”

What began in the heart of an 11-year-old girl not only shaped her own family, but has impacted countless other families as well.  

“The mission and impact of Show Hope drew me here four years ago, and to see how that impact continues to grow today most certainly humbles me,” said Mike Hamilton, current Executive Director of Show Hope. “It has been an honor to serve alongside Emily and a great privilege to mentor her over the past few years as she has prepared for this role.

“While I am moving forward with another opportunity, I am certainly eager to watch Show Hope continue to flourish under the leadership and vision of Emily, a woman who clearly has been called to this work,” continued Hamilton.

Over the past four years, Show Hope has grown programmatically, financially, and operationally, and in 2017 the leadership team began laying out a strategic plan for the future with Richards spearheading the process. That plan included both leadership and organizational succession plans as well as the expansion of the nonprofit’s four pillars of work: Adoption Aid, Care Centers in China, Pre+Post Adoption Support, and Student Initiatives.

“I am eternally grateful for Mike’s leadership, mentorship, and friendship, and I look forward to seeing where God takes him and his family in this newest chapter of their story,” said Richards. “While we will certainly miss Mike, I am deeply committed to the vision God established for Show Hope, and it is a great honor to accept this position as executive director.” 

Richards and her husband, Tanner, have three daughters and reside in Franklin, Tenn. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Religion from Baylor University and a master’s degree in Theology from Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

Since its founding, Show Hope has provided more than $24 million in Adoption Aid grants, impacting more than 6,200 children from more than 60 countries, including the United States. The nonprofit has also provided care to more than 2,600 children with acute medical and special needs through its Care Centers in China, and through its Pre+Post Adoption Support efforts, Show Hope has provided tools and resources for more than 65,000 families, individuals, and professionals to care for children with complex needs. And as of 2018, more than 20,500 students have been engaged through Show Hope’s Student Initiatives. 

To learn more about Richards and the work of Show Hope, visit ShowHope.org

For more info on Steven Curtis Chapman, visit the JFH Artists Database.

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