Rachel is a proud native of Cleveland, Ohio and graduate of the Shaker Heights public schools. Growing up in a Rust Belt city, she witnessed first hand the significant social and economic challenges faced by declining cities in America, and also experienced the power and potential of innovative leaders and promising solutions to revitalize these communities. Rachel became inspired by the potential of cross-sector partnerships while working as a government advocacy intern at the Greater Cleveland Partnership, a private sector-driven nonprofit dedicated to building a more vibrant economy in Cleveland. She also developed a passion for civic engagement and social problem solving in her work with the Student Group On Race Relations (SGORR), where she led student groups in creating environments for middle and elementary school students to engage in a candid dialogue on racial and social issues.

Rachel graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Tufts University in 2007 with a double major in Political Science and Spanish. While at Tufts, Rachel was as a Tisch Scholar for Citizenship and Public Service, and had the opportunity to create and run programs education programs in the local community. During college, she also conducted a summer research project with the Center for Education Policy, studying the effects of London education policy reform efforts on the city's public education system.

Rachel studied abroad in Alcalá de Henares, Spain and is fluent in Spanish. She plays the oboe, loves to travel, and is a science enthusiast. She lives with her husband in Somerville.

What is your favorite book?
Enders Game by Orson Scott Card

Favorite place in the entire world?
Madrigal de la Vera, Spain

Favorite foods?
Fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and pisto, a Spanish-style ratatouille