Meet Chardé
Speaker, Executive Director and Visionary Founder of Relevant Connections
Professional Expertise and Credentials
Chardé Hollins is not only a licensed clinical social worker but also an accomplished grants manager with extensive experience overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets. Her diverse background, including experience as a funder, grant reviewer and therapist, gives her valuable insights that set her apart in the fields of grant writing, DEI, and mental health advocacy.
Chardé holds a Masters in Social Work with certifications in suicide prevention, and complex-trauma. She brings extensive experience in:
-
Grants Management: As a former grants manager, Chardé oversaw an $18 million budget and has successfully secured over $7 million in funding for nonprofits, with a specialty in crafting proposals that amplify the voices of marginalized communities.
-
DEI Consulting and Cultural Competence: Chardé’s expertise in evaluating DEI practices and increasing cultural competence makes her a sought-after consultant, especially in fields like customer relations, education, healthcare, and corrections.
-
Mental Health Advocacy: Her clinical background and work in mental health have helped her develop innovative strategies that adapt evidence-based practices to better support underrepresented populations.
-
Behavioral Health: Her transformative work with youth have resulted in increased client engagement and reduced violent behavior through tailored curriculum and strategic partnerships.
About Chardé Hollins: Transforming Communities through Leadership, Advocacy, and Expertise
Chardé Hollins is the founder and owner of Relevant Connections, LLC and a highly respected licensed clinical social worker with over a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, mental health, and organizational development. She has dedicated her career to empowering organizations and creating lasting impact. Known for her innovative, culturally adaptive approaches, Chardé has become a highly sought-after speaker, consultant, and thought leader, recognized for her ability to foster purpose-driven partnerships that lead to meaningful change.
With over ten years of experience working with justice-involved youth and trauma-affected communities, Chardé is trained in suicide prevention and trauma treatment. She formerly served as a grants manager, social worker in schools, health care, and corrections, and as an advocate for court-involved youth. Utilizing her education and diverse experiences in the workplace, Chardé uniquely integrates her skills as a clinician into developing models for engagement and delivering presentations that will last beyond the classroom.
Leadership Highlights and Key Achievements
Throughout her career, Chardé has:
-
Led transformative DEI initiatives in healthcare, corrections, and education.
-
Developed and facilitated professional development workshops for over 100 organizations
-
Partnered with numerous nonprofits to help them secure vital grant funding
-
Mentored emerging leaders in mental health and education, helping them navigate challenges and grow professionally
-
Spearheaded community engagement projects that brought diverse voices together to create meaningful solutions
Media Features and Press
Chardé’s work has been recognized in various media outlets, showcasing her thought leadership and impact:
-
Featured in Forbes: Article discussing Chardé’s work in closing the gap between mental health and businesses and how employers can an create trauma-informed policies that provide employees with the necessary support for their mental well-being, while also maintaining clear workplace expectations
-
Guest Speaker on Avoiding the Addiction Affliction: Discussing the obstacles those of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds have with accessing substance abuse and mental health treatment and what can be done to level the treatment playing field
-
Featured in Black Enterprise: Article highlighting $50K of secured grant funding to enhance suicide prevention and awareness
-
Featured in New York Weekly: Article highlighting Chardé’s transformative work in mental health and DEI
-
Guest Speaker on Speak Your Way to Cash: Presenting about strategies for successful grant writing and securing nonprofit funding.
Vision and Impact
As a leader and advocate, Chardé’s vision is to create a world where every organization, regardless of size or resources, can make a meaningful impact in their community. She is driven by a belief that collaboration, inclusivity, and purpose-driven partnerships are the keys to creating lasting change. Through Relevant Connections, she continues to work towards empowering organizations to unlock their full potential, equipping them with the tools, resources, and strategies needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Speaking and Engagements
Chardé Hollins is available for speaking engagements, workshops, and consulting opportunities. To invite Chardé to speak at your event, contact us.
What Clients Say
Chardé is a warm, kind, intelligent, and very personable professional to lead a training for your organization. She will take the time to get to know your organization's culture and deliver a training that is uniquely suited for what you are looking. Her background and experience as a LCSW gives her a unique advantage to share perspectives and education that can be applied to real-world situations. We are thrilled with the cultural competency training she created for us and really enjoyed the entire work experience.
-Jenny Harrow-Keeler, Integrative Healers Action Network, Executive Director