About Us

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Melissa Richardson is a Founding Partner of Critical Thinking Partners, LLC. a high-touch consulting service founded in 2014. The focus of the

firm is to provide clients with specialized skills related to critical thinking, problem solving and individual communication styles, both speaking and 

listening, verbal and nonverbal. 

Melissa’s work experience prior to starting Critical Thinking Partners, LLC includes teaching for 7 years as an Adjunct Faculty member at DeVry University teaching Critical Thinking & Problem Solving and Career Readiness courses. Before coming to DeVry, Melissa was a Career Advisor at DePaul University working with MBA students and alumni. She has excellent client service skills and enjoys teaming with

individuals and groups to empower people to set and reach achievable goals.

Melissa received her B.A. from Western Michigan University and  MEd with a focus in Counseling from DePaul University.

Melissa and her husband Alex live on the north side of Chicago with their three children.

Teresa Hayes is a Founding Partner at Critical Thinking Partners, LLC, a high-touch consulting service founded in 2014. The focus of the firm is to provide clients and students with specialized skills related to critical thinking, problem-solving, and individual communication styles, both speaking and listening.

Teresa’s work experience prior to starting Critical Thinking Partners, LLC includes teaching for 20 years as a full-time faculty member at DeVry University, teaching Critical Thinking & Problem Solving, Public Speaking, and Interpersonal Communication. Teresa also spent several years as a department chair, coordinating and facilitating department meetings, hiring, mentoring, and scheduling faculty, and providing background student and faculty support as well as conflict management. Before coming to DeVry, Teresa was an adjunct professor of a variety of English, Communication, and Life Skills courses at Daley College and Wright College, City Colleges of Chicago. Teresa prides herself on her excellent

people skills, and plans to enhance critical thinking on a global level. One school, one workplace, one city, one country at a time . .

Teresa received her B.A. in Communication from DePaul University and an M.A. in Communication from DePaul University. 

Teresa and her husband Blaise, a music producer, live on the north side of Chicago with their two daughters.