Rachel Benditt
Director, Communications and Narrative Strategy
Why do you do what you do?
The stories we hear and the ways that we talk about issues influence how we act and even what we think and believe. Studying the forms and effects of communication in school, I wanted to apply what I was learning to make the world a better place. I was raised in a strong tradition of social justice, and my career has been focused on supporting causes that are important to me.
What drew you to the foundation?
The Bay Area offers so much to its residents, but it also faces major challenges. Too many residents are being pushed out and denied paths to economic stability. I was drawn to the foundation because of its commitment to tackling these challenges fearlessly and head-on.
How would you describe your role ?
I leverage the power of storytelling to help the foundation address the systemic challenges that face the Bay Area and lead to disparate outcomes for too many of our neighbors who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color. My work helps to extend the impact of our programs, highlight the successes of our grantees, and shift the narrative of how we talk about and understand racial equity and economic inclusion.