Meet our new Employee Support Manager, Rachel! It is a dream come true for us to bring on a full-time staff member that is 100% dedicated to emotionally supporting the womxn on our team. Rachel will help them achieve their goals by supporting them in professional skill development, resource referral, monthly educational sessions and connecting them with mentorship opportunities. Rachel moved to Portland from the UK 2.5 years ago and brings experience from her previous job as a career coach at a local non-profit.

What is your role at Ground Up?

We know that life is stressful and work can be stressful - I’m here to provide emotional support to ensure that the incredible womxn at Ground Up can show up to work as their best selves. I also manage our non-profit and employer partnerships. These relationships help us guarantee that we have a steady flow of trainees coming into our production kitchen that our graduates have a smooth transition when they complete their time at Ground Up. 

What is the community at Ground Up like? 

Ground Up feels like a family! It’s so powerful to see a multigenerational group of womxn from diverse backgrounds supporting one another and lifting each other up. I’m a big believer in the power of community and the ‘collective’.  Every womxn at Ground Up is a cog in a well-oiled machine and we couldn’t function without each person and the dynamic energy that they bring to our unique ecosystem. There’s a lot of laughter, challenges, humbling moments and spontaneous dance parties, of course. 

What do you like to do for fun?

I love to be outside and enjoy the wonders of the Pacific Northwest. I moved here 2 years ago from the UK, so I’m still in awe of the nature here! Come summertime, you'll find me hiking, floating the river, backpacking and camping. I’ve recently become obsessed with quad roller skating, so if you ever see someone skating around on baby blue wheels, that might just be me!

What is your favorite Ground Up nut butter flavor + favorite way to enjoy it?

It’s got to be Coconut Cardamom. I like a dollop of it in my yoghurt with banana and berries!