6550 Consulting Leadership Team

Founders’ Introduction

6550 Consulting was founded by Heather Richardson and Mel Whitesell to support individuals and organizations seeking clarity, strength, and meaningful progress.

Together, they bring decades of senior leadership experience across sport, not-for-profit, Indigenous, and corporate environments. Their combined expertise spans strategic planning, leadership development, governance, and organizational operations — grounded in real-world experience and a deep understanding of people, systems, and purpose.

Heather’s background as a sales and strategy executive and elite athlete, alongside Mel’s leadership in sport management, non-profits, and Indigenous organizations, creates a balanced and thoughtful approach to consulting. As a proud member of the Métis Nation, Mel brings cultural awareness and community-centred insight that strengthens the firm’s work and partnerships.

At the heart of 6550 Consulting is a shared belief that strong leadership, clear strategy, and respectful collaboration drive lasting impact. Heather and Mel partner closely with their clients to build capability, support growth, and help organizations and leaders reach their full potential.

Mel Whitesell – bio:

Mel Whitesell is a respected leader with extensive experience across sport management, not-for-profit organizations, and Indigenous communities. She brings a values-driven, community-centred approach to her work, supporting organizations and leaders as they build capacity, strengthen governance, and pursue meaningful, sustainable impact.

Throughout her career, Mel has worked closely with boards, executives, and community partners to support strategic planning, operational effectiveness, and organizational growth. Her experience spans complex sport and not-for-profit environments, where she is recognized for her ability to connect strategy to purpose and translate vision into practical action.

Mel’s work with Indigenous organizations is grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience. As a proud member of the Métis Nation, she brings cultural awareness, respect, and authenticity to every engagement. Her approach emphasizes collaboration, trust, and alignment with community priorities, recognizing that strong outcomes are built through relationships and shared accountability.

Mel is deeply committed to leadership development and inclusive practice. She is valued for her thoughtful insight, steady leadership, and ability to support organizations through change, renewal, and growth.

As a Founding Partner of 6550 Consulting, Mel partners with clients to strengthen organizations, empower leaders, and support work rooted in purpose, respect, and lasting impact.

Heather Richardson – bio:

Heather Richardson is a seasoned sales and strategy executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience across corporate, sport, and not-for-profit environments. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for guiding organizations and leaders through periods of growth, change, and transformation with clarity, integrity, and purpose.

Heather has held senior leadership roles with responsibility for strategy development, revenue growth, stakeholder engagement, and organizational performance. Her experience spans complex, matrixed organizations, where she has led teams, developed long-term strategic roadmaps, and supported effective execution at both the enterprise and operational levels.

In addition to her corporate leadership experience, Heather brings deep expertise in leadership development through her work with executives, managers, athletes, and teams. She is known for her practical, people-centred approach to coaching and development — helping individuals strengthen confidence, navigate transitions, and perform at their best, both professionally and personally.

Heather’s leadership perspective is further shaped by her accomplishments as an elite athlete and official. Most notably, she served as an official at the 2010 Winter Olympics, an achievement that reflects her commitment to excellence, preparation, and high-performance environments. Her background in sport continues to inform her work, reinforcing the values of discipline, accountability, teamwork, and resilience.

As Founder of 6550 Consulting, Heather combines strategic insight, leadership experience, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed. She partners with organizations and individuals to create thoughtful strategies, develop strong leaders, and achieve lasting impact.