Rachel is a proud descendant of the Yuin Nation and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia. Driven by her own experiences of systemic neglect as a child carer, Rachel is passionate about driving reforms within the Australian mental health system, particularly for children in caring arrangements. Her goal is to support Gayaa Dhuwi’s vision of achieving the highest attainable standard of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

With over a decade of experience in the health sector, Rachel has made significant contributions in both the optometry industry and the community-controlled sector. She has held pivotal roles at the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and Gayaa Dhuwi, which has been instrumental in advancing the objectives of the organisation. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Social Policy) and a Master of Business Management from the University of Wollongong.

In recognition of her outstanding community spirit and resilience, Rachel was honoured as the 2022 Rising Woman of Spirit by Lifeline Canberra. This accolade reflects her unwavering commitment to ensuring that no child experiences the same systemic neglect she faced.

Beyond her professional roles, Rachel is co-chair of the Wharerātā Hui, board member of the Capital Health Network, and the deputy co-chair of the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership, where she continues to advocate for systemic reforms that uplift her community.