Leader. Futurist. Changemaker.
Rachel Svetanoff is an award-winning young leader serving as the Leadership Giving Discovery Manager at USA for UNFPA to support the health and rights of women and girls worldwide. Her past work has spanned more than 100 initiatives across 37 countries, reflecting a sustained commitment to global social impact and cross-sector collaboration. An entrepreneur and strategist, Rachel founded her consulting practice where she has partnered with organizations including UNICEF USA, Sesame Workshop, and Johnson & Johnson to build strategic partnerships and advance mission-driven outcomes.
Sitting at the nexus of global policy, public engagement, and social impact, Rachel holds appointments at the International Monetary Fund, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, and the United Nations Association of the USA to shape dialogue on international cooperation and civic participation. As a Visiting Associate of Policy & Practice at the Pulte Institute for Global Development at the University of Notre Dame, Rachel published research on public opinion and the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals . Recognized for her work, she is a sought-after speaker and contributor on youth engagement in civic spaces.
Born and raised in Indiana, Rachel holds a BS in Chemistry and an MBA from Purdue University and an MS in Global Health from the University of Notre Dame. She has been recognized as a Distinguished Young Alumna by both academic institutions.
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Rachel Svetanoff wins Ms. Maryland International 2026
The Northeast International Pageants, as part of the International Pageants organization, emphasizes personal development, community service, and purpose-driven leadership among women. It provides a platform for contestants to lead with authenticity while using their voices to create meaningful impact within their communities and beyond.
Within this framework, I created She the Change, a platform dedicated to advancing civic leadership among women and girls. Rooted in the belief that representation shapes possibility, it focuses on equipping girls with the confidence, skills, and opportunities to lead through mentorship, partnerships, and community-based initiatives that foster both voice and action.
This work is deeply connected to my role at USA for UNFPA, where we support programs that empower women and girls globally by expanding access to reproductive health care, advancing gender equality, and investing in leadership and agency. Across these spaces, the throughline is when women and girls are equipped to lead, they not only transform their own trajectories but also the systems and communities around them.