Rachel's academic journey commenced with impactful research on women's leadership in Palestinian refugee camps for the UN Women's Program in Lebanon (UNRWA, 2008) – a powerful foundation for her career. Her PhD project, "Rise," thoroughly investigates risk and psychological safety in mountain guiding and avalanche professions worldwide. By prioritizing the voices of marginalized groups, including 2SLGBTQ+, BIPOC, female, and trauma-affected guides, she is driving significant change in the industry. Rachel's MA, "The Wildfire Within," transformed gender discussions by creating a platform for firefighters to engage candidly. It was the first initiative to effectively use technology to facilitate open conversations within the wildland fire community. Her noteworthy contributions have earned nominations for the Nelson Mandela Award (2016),  distinction from Royal Roads University (2017), a nomination for the Governor General's Gold Medal Award (2017), and distinction from the University of Wollongong (2025). For her commitment to diversity within the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides, Rachel received the Silver Distinguished Member Service award. If you're interested in custom workshops, research assistance, or speaking engagements, feel free to contact her here.