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Nonprofit HR Staff Story
Dr. Rachael Forester
What attracted you to Nonprofit HR? Before joining Nonprofit HR, I primarily worked in higher education. While I loved the work I was doing with equity and justice, I wanted my reach to extend beyond one organization. I was introduced to Nonprofit HR after receiving an email from Steven Krzanowski through the Social Justice Training Institute alumni list and I realized that this opportunity would align both my passion for equity and justice with my desire to work with multiple organizations. As I started to get more familiar with Nonprofit HR, I realized the people and the culture far exceeded what I thought I could experience in a workplace. What’s your favorite aspect of talent management? My favorite aspect of talent management is assisting people with understanding the ways their social location impacts how they experience and interact with others in the workplace. I believe that critical consciousness, in tandem with understanding systems, can shape and shift the world into a more equitable place. I love watching leaders, at all levels, learn more about themselves and how they can model the change they want to see. What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now and why? I am currently working on co-building an equity and justice curriculum for an organization to help them better understand each other, improve communication and reduce interpersonal harm. When people show up authentically and are open to engaging in a process of transformation, I feel fulfilled. This organization is showing up eager to create a new culture! “When people show up authentically and are open to engaging in a process of transformation, I feel fulfilled.” |  |
What was your favorite thing to do as a kid?
As a kid, I loved spending my weekends at the little league fields where I played softball. I remember one of the first times I was allowed to drive the golf cart, I crashed it into a fence because I didn’t want to put my hot dog down. It makes me laugh just thinking about it.
What’s a fun fact about you?
A fun fact about me is that I love, love, love Disney! I love the movies, the music, the merchandise, the magic and the parks! Walt Disney World is my go-to vacation spot because it is guaranteed fun. Where else can you find that level of consistency and certainty?
Dr. Rachael Forester provides subject matter expert advice, insight and strategic direction to clients. She oversees complex client engagements, manages projects to completion and designs and facilitates DEI training solutions and assessment services to partners and stakeholders.Rachael has been doing equity work in higher education for about ten years. Rachael most recently served as the Associate Director of the Office of Identity, Equity and Engagement at UNC Charlotte where she also obtained her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership in Higher Education, focusing on racial equity. Read Rachael’s full bio.
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