RACHEL WADE
Studio Director
Rachel Wade believes that people are at the heart of every community, and looks for ways to serve, uplift, and empower people through both her personal and professional commitments. Her career spans more than two decades, with the last 15 years being spent at United Way of Southwest Michigan, where she held various leadership positions, most recently as the Vice President of Strategy. In addition, Rachel serves as the President of the Board of Education at Lakeshore Public Schools, and as the Chair of the Administrative Council at Stevensville United Methodist Church, both located in Stevensville, Michigan.
Throughout her career, Rachel has received significant recognition for her work, including being named to both the 40 Under 40 list (2018) and the Bold Women of Business list (2022) by Moody on the Market. In addition, she received the Leadership in Education Ambassador Award from the OutCenter of Southwest Michigan in 2023. Rachel received these incredible honors in the inaugural year of each award.
As the Studio Director, Rachel works to develop materials for groundbreaking reports, support special projects that innovate on key challenges in society, and create ways to spread critical ideas that emerge from the Studio.
A life-long resident of Michigan, Rachel lives in Stevensville with her husband, two sons, and two rescue dogs. She enjoys reading, writing, exploring national parks, and watching her sons compete with the 9-time state championship Lakeshore Lancer Marching Band.