For over 20 years, Rachel has worked on water issues with a mix of private, public, and non-profit organizations, ranging from start-up efforts to large development finance institutions, and representing a wide range of water issues. Before starting RedThread Advisors, a private consultancy firm, she helped to create the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Water, Sanitation & Hygiene team, where she also developed and managed a sizeable portfolio of systems-changing investments which continue to have impact in countries around the world. She has also served as Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee for Seattle Public Utilities, and is a current Trustee of the Whole World Water Fund. Rachel graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, with a degree in history (anthropology minor) and earned an MPA from Columbia University, with a concentration in energy policy and finance.