Rachael Woodward she/her

Managing Director, Operations & Systems

Bringing to light

Synchronizing operations and processes to support the work of UpStart’s program teams.

The basics

Rachael leads UpStart’s Central Operations team, owning organization-wide systems strategy, data infrastructure, and the cross-functional workflows that connect tools and teams to remove friction. She brings a practical, human-centered approach to systems design, one that values usability and adoption as much as technical soundness. Before joining UpStart, Rachael spent a decade at BBYO in senior leadership roles building and scaling national talent programs, and earlier served as a Chapter Consultant for Alpha Chi Omega. Rachael is based in Laurel, Maryland, and graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park (Go Terps!), where she designed her own major through the Individual Studies program.

How Rachael finds meaning and comes together with others

Rachael loves spending time with family and friends, especially when it involves a hot cup of tea, a cheeseboard, or a croissant. You can find her scoping out the best walking spots or playgrounds with her husband and kids.