Rachelle Furst is a change agent with a diverse skill set in nonprofit leadership, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), and programs. She promotes social justice and equity by creating opportunities for underrepresented communities.
As the Executive Director of Whippoorwill Arts, Rachelle was pivotal in building a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for Roots Musicians. She designed and managed programs (including a DEI initiative), launched a national research study, designed, and oversaw a grant program, analyzed outcomes, and reported to stakeholders across the country. Before her role at Whippoorwill Arts, Rachelle was the Executive Director for BurlyCon, a nonprofit dedicated to burlesque education. She is credited for developing a DEI&B strategy for the organization's shift to an Anti-Racist organization, piloting an Anti-Racist curriculum, and producing an annual four-day convention.
Rachelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Nonprofit Management that is complemented by her passion for developing innovative programming that positively impacts the world to create a more equitable and just society for all.
Alongside her professional pursuits, Rachelle is an avid traveler, always seeking new adventures and experiences that broaden her perspective and deepen her appreciation for different cultures and ways of life. She is also a passionate artist with a focus on theater and dance. She resides in Texas with her wife, Sophy, and their two dogs, Winston and Princess Moonpie.