Rachel intends to pursue a career that will enable her to enact positive change for the planet while serving as a mentor for women in business.

Rachel Hain is pursuing an MBA and an MS in environmental policy at UM-Ann Arbor. After dedicating a decade to fundraising for Chicago’s nonprofit arts and culture sector, a deep sense of calling to ensure a better future planet motivated Rachel to shift careers and make the leap to attend graduate school and forge a new path in environmental sustainability. She is committed to using her education to address the urgent need for robust and actionable corporate sustainability efforts.

Rachel is a deeply dedicated student and community member at the U-M Erb Institute. As an expecting mother and then a new parent, Rachel doubled down on her educational goals, engaging in programs and classes in person until her son arrived and determinedly finishing her second year in the program on time. She is recognized by her professors for “navigating this important and challenging time with such dedication, stamina, and grace.” Rachel’s experience also fueled her determination to push for better parental policies and support systems; now, she serves as an advocate for future birthing parents studying within the Ross School of Business as co-chair of the Mom MBAs (MoMBAs) group. In this role, she has consulted on new policies and created resources currently being implemented.

Rachel intends to pursue a career that will enable her to enact positive change for the planet while serving as a mentor for women in business. She envisions effecting meaningful change by driving the adoption of sustainability and environmental policies within corporations, influencing policy decisions, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and championing transparency and stewardship.

CEW+ applauds Rachel’s dedicated approach to her education and shift in careers, as well as her commitment to building a better future for all, and names her the Luera-Apgar Sustainability Scholar.