Rachel Ploss joined The Patterson Foundation as its sixth fellow in June 2022. Moving from the Indianapolis hub of philanthropy, Rachel brings an extensive array of knowledge on philanthropic topics as well as unique experiences.

Rachel earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy in 2021. She subsequently finished her master’s degree in Philanthropic Studies in 2022 through the school’s 4+1 program. This program allows students to complete year one of the MA program during their final year of their undergraduate degree. However, Rachel completed both degrees in four years.

While attending IUPUI, Rachel served as the Eugene Tempel Graduate Assistant Fellow to Dean Amir Pasic. She was responsible for performing an audit of the school’s strategic plan conversations and identifying the top five themes from the audit. These five themes then became teams through which Rachel coordinated eighty volunteers to continue productive conversations about the strategic plan. Rachel analyzed the minutes of these conversations and, alongside Dean Amir Pasic, created the school’s first strategic plan since it was founded as a school. Rachel also played a role in organizing the school’s annual board of visitors meeting and in reviving the school’s Rosso Giving Society.

Rachel is ecstatic to be working alongside people who care deeply for others and work to create lasting philanthropic impacts in the community. By learning TPF’s philanthropic approaches, Rachel intends to strengthen her ideas of innovative models of philanthropy to create more effective change.

Rachel currently resides in Sarasota, Florida. She enjoys hiking, the beach, cooking, and wants to visit all of the national parks and all Seven Wonders of the World.

Join Rachael on Twitter: @RachelPloss

To contact Rachel: rhettinger@thepattersonfoundation.org

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