First changemaking experience: In the 6th grade I began advocating and fighting hard for my town to keep our elementary school open rather than merging with another town. The school is still around today!
Favorite place in the world: Moch! A little island in Chuuk, Micronesia.
Favorite quote: “If you think young people are the leaders of tomorrow, you are procrastinating” – Unknown
Name on thing on your bucket list: To see the Northern Lights
Rachel is excited to be back at Ashoka after working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland to scale their workforce program and launch an initiative to bring underrepresented groups into the Portland tech scene. Rachel also served with the Peace Corps in the Federated States of Micronesia as a teacher. While living on her small, remote island, she worked closely with local officials to grow the island’s first public library, start a women’s leadership group, and implement a youth leadership training program. Following the Peace Corps, she joined Ashoka’s Youth Venture where she was instrumental in curriculum development and building out a licensing program. She also worked with Ashoka’s Talent Growth Initiative, working to identify innovative approaches to providing workers with changemaker skills. Rachel is also the proud co-founder of Sweet Stories Events, a boutique event planning business based in Washington, DC. with her friend. Rachel lives in Portland, OR with her husband, Derek, and almost two-year-old son, Benny. She is passionate about gymnastics, having participated since she was able to walk. When she was studying political science at American University, she started a club team that allowed her to coach fellow students and compete at the collegiate level. She grew up in a small town in Massachusetts with three amazing younger brothers.
