Rachel Riskind

Rachel Riskind Consulting - Greensboro, NC

Member Spotlight

Can you share a memorable turning point in your personal or professional journey?

I had earned a PhD, become department chair, and gotten tenure at Guilford College–a job for life, as long as you don’t do anything terrible and your college stays open. But after 15 years of teaching students about the problems facing children and families, the solutions kept moving further out of reach. And with winds of political change, I was ready to stop raising awareness and start taking a more active role in the change I wanted to see. In July 2025, I left higher education–with the honorary title of Professor Emerita, which is unpaid and means I still get library access–and opened Rachel Riskind Consulting to help nonprofit leaders get clear, useful reports that explain their impact and bring in the resources their clients and staff deserve.

What’s something you’re passionate about that most people might not know?

I apply developmental science to everything. This week, for example, I recommended that an organization provide targeted support specifically for new mothers being pushed out of the workforce, designed an evidence-based summer reading routine for my own kids, and coordinated a parent discussion of the book Straight Talk About ADHD in Girls.

What’s something quirky or unique about you that others might not know?

Although my ancestors weren’t born in Spanish-dominant countries, I'm a 4th-generation Spanish speaker with close family ties to Mexico. My unusual family history shapes how I collaborate with Spanish-speaking partners and clients, from interviewing Mexican-origin parents about their teens' mental health to collaborating on community engagement with educators, children, and youth in Oaxaca. It informs my evaluation work, my commitment to immigrant communities, and my board service with FaithAction International.

A Short Bio

I’m Rachel Riskind (she/her/ella), a nonprofit consultant with 20+ years of experience in research and evaluation. I help organizations use their data to understand their own programs and show funders what they're achieving. I joined TCC in Fall 2025.