As a policy and advocacy associate, Rae provides administrative and event support at the foundation and assists with analytical work, particularly as it relates to racial justice. Over the course of their experience in higher education and nonprofits, Rae has consistently examined and learned from the intersections of their own life to improve the experiences of others.
Early in their career, Rae served in the AmeriCorps VISTA program as a childcare small business development specialist where they worked to expand access to quality childcare for low-income families. Rae continued to advocate for students as a program specialist at Whatcom Community College Foundation, where they managed programs such as student scholarships, emergency funds, and the foundation ambassador program. They also serve on the board for Futures Northwest, a nonprofit in Whatcom County working to ensure every student has the information and guidance they need to succeed.
Rae is a poet, a self-proclaimed “choir nerd,” and the proud owner of a three-year-old Goldendoodle named Bowie. They grew up between Deming and Everson in Whatcom County and earned a bachelor’s degree in English studies from Gonzaga University and a master’s degree in English studies from Western Washington University.