Our Team

Todd B. Waldo

Todd B. Waldo is the Founder and Principal Consultant for Hugh Helen LLC, a team of passionate problem solvers developing solutions for client success and social good. As a strategic partner, they help organizations improve the reach and impact of their products, programs and services. With a focus on teams and technology, they help executive teams with strategic plan implementation. They also develop solutions to use technology and data for engagement and impact. Todd invests in others as a mentor and adviser to increase diversity, inclusion, mission awareness and engagement. In addition, he provides operational consulting and governance leadership in philanthropic, nonprofit and government sectors.

All of this carries over in his service and advocacy in the Richmond community with his work for various organizations. With a passion for social justice, Todd serves on the Board of Directors for Better Housing Coalition, the President of the Board of the Robinson Theater Community Arts Center and Board Chair for Afrikana Independent Film Festival. He also serves on the VCU School of Engineering Industrial Advisory Board.

Melody Short

Melody Short is a graduate of Morgan State University’s Earl Graves School of Business and a marketing executive, focused on business development and brand development for small businesses. With nearly 20 years of marketing experience for small businesses in the South West, North East and Mid Atlantic Regions, Melody is also the former Director of Marketing and Business Development for the largest collection of Black-owned Inns in the United States, Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns and was featured as part of the cast of their television show, on the OWN Network, Checked Inn.

Melody currently serves the small business community of Richmond, Virginia as the Director of Marketing & Communications at the Metropolitan Business League, the Co-founder of the Richmond Night Market and as the Co-founder of The Jackson Ward Collective, a hub for Black business owners and selected partners to share resources, experiences and expertise to build and grow strong, sustainable Black owned businesses in Richmond, VA.

In addition, Melody serves on the board of the Afrikana Independent Film Festival, ChamberRVA and the Minority Business Enterprise and Emerging Small Business Advisory Board for the City of Richmond.

Shannon Bass

Shannon Bass is the Founder/Principal Designer of Ryano Graphics, a communications firm specializing in communications, visual strategy and design. Shannon’s design specialties include print, brand identity development, and brand management. She has more than 14 years of experience with a varied clientele and is a recipient of the CASE Award of Excellence in Printed Publications.

Shannon is a Richmond native and graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Mass Communication. She enjoys traveling, making crafts and spending time with the ladies of the HER collective, an organization she created to help break the stigmas about Black. Most recently, Shannon launched Black Creatives RVA, an online directory aimed to elevate and highlight untapped Black talent in Richmond.