Rachel Vasquez
Rachel Vasquez is the Vice President of Grants at the Dixon Water Foundation and serves as Chief of Staff to the President and CEO. She is based in San Antonio, Texas and focuses on overseeing the grant lifecycle and building and maintaining relationships with grantees. Rachel is also planning an apprenticeship program focused on providing hands-on opportunity for individuals interested in sustainable ranching. Additionally, as an HR generalist, Rachel oversees the employee life cycle for Foundation staff.
Prior to this role, Rachel served The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in various capacities from 1990 to 2020. As the Director of Internship Programs and Associate Director of Youth Engagement, she led a team of nine through a national expansion of the high school internship program that employed 140 youth and provided access to nature preserves, life skills, and introductions to career and academic opportunities. Rachel also led the college internship program which provided employment for up to 50 young professionals and helped bridge the gap from education to employment. Overall, her tenure at TNC showcased her adeptness in both strategic planning, operational support, and team development.
Rachel’s career reflects a dedication to enhancing program effectiveness and operational efficiency, combined with a deep commitment to the values of conservation, community engagement, and a commitment to career pathways development for youth and young professionals.