In case you haven’t heard, our Young Women’s Leadership Network keeps getting bigger (did we mention we’re launching in SF in June?), doing larger events, and there are more women leaders than ever (have you heard about our mentorship program, now with 50 women involved?). It’s a great problem to have – really! But since even National Manager Sasha has to sleep sometimes, we realized we needed to ask for a little help. Enter: Rachel, our new YWLN Coordinator! Since you might not get to meet her in person right away, we wanted to give you the chance to get to know her. Read on for her deepest, darkest secrets… or just the most recent book she’s read.

Wait so, who are you and where’s Sasha?

My name is Rachel Evans, and I am the new Young Women’s Leadership Network Coordinator at JWI! This means that I’ll be working closely with Sasha to serve as another resource for you and your Network’s needs. With that, if you ever have membership questions or event or speaker ideas (or podcast recommendations), please send them my way! I couldn’t be more excited to be working with Sasha and the Networks nationwide, and hope to become a go-to person for any and everything you may need. I’m thrilled to be a part of the JWI team, and look forward to getting to know you better as we work together to help JWI’s Young Women’s Leadership Networks thrive!

Please feel free to reach out to me at any time at REvans@jwi.org, and follow the Network on Instagram to see some great content by yours truly in the near future @jwiywln!

What’s your background?

I grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland and just recently graduated from Penn State (6 days ago), where I earned my Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, learning all about what makes people their best and most successful selves throughout all stages of life. For me, I do my best when I’m connected to the people around me and when I’m working towards a meaningful goal. This is why the mission and work of JWI- empowering women at every stage of their life- teens, college students, young women, really aligns with my values.

Previously, I interned for a public relations firm in Rockville, Maryland and for the Partnership for Public Service in Washington, DC. The combination of my educational experiences and prior internship experiences has helped me really develop my skills, and I’m looking forward to utilizing those skills at JWI.

Were you involved in anything Jewish growing up? (Can we play Jewish geography?)

I’m always happy to play Jewish geography! In high school and college, I was involved in multiple Jewish organizations such as BBYO, Hillel, and Aish Penn State. Each of these organizations provided me with exciting and unique Jewish experiences, and connected me with hundreds of Jews from all walks of life, showing me just how versatile Judaism can be, while also connecting people on a deeper level.

And fun fact: I spent three months living in and traveling all over Israel at the end of high school.

What else should we know about you?

In my free time, I love to bake, listen to podcasts, enjoy the occasional Netflix binge, and spend time outdoors.

Some more fun facts about me:

What I’m bragging about this week/month/year): Graduating college!

Best book I’ve read recently: Becoming – Michelle Obama

My favorite badass lady: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Thing you might not know about me: I like to bake my own bread!

Best career advice I’ve gotten: “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”

My secret budgeting trick: Never grocery shop when you’re hungry.

Network with me on: LinkedIn