RACHEL CAHILL CONSULTING
ABOUT US
SUPPORTING ANTI-HUNGER ADVOCATES, NATIONWIDE
Founded in 2017, Rachel Cahill Consulting (RCC) is a specialty policy and advocacy consulting firm serving anti-hunger and anti-poverty organizations across the United States. With team members from Cleveland, Austin, Lansing, Chattanooga, and Atlanta, our team supports national and state-level anti-hunger advocates through custom training, technical assistance, strategy development, and project management to maximize their impact.
The RCC team is known for our deep expertise in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), successful administrative advocacy strategies, and extensive expertise operating in politically conservative environments.
Since our founding, we have partnered with national anti-hunger organizations to create high-quality trainings, assessments, and policy reports that advance our shared goals of protecting and strengthening federal nutrition programs. We also work with state-level organizations to grow their capacity to create and execute effective policy and advocacy campaigns.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Rachel Cahill Consulting, LLC exists to support the many mission-driven organizations who are fighting every day to end hunger and poverty in the United States.
In the near term, we are focused on making our nation’s most important anti-hunger program, SNAP, the most effective, accessible, and equitable program it can be in every community.
In the long term, we are committed to helping build political will for a society and economy without food insecurity, so we no longer need programs like SNAP to supplement low wages and ensure every human being has enough nutritious food for an active and healthy life.
OUR TEAM
RACHEL CAHILL
OWNER & PRINCIPAL CONSULTANT
Rachel Cahill is a long-time anti-hunger policy advocate based in Ohio who launched Rachel Cahill Consulting, LLC in January 2017. As Principal Consultant, Rachel works closely with partner organizations to design and implement high-impact projects that increase SNAP advocacy capacity across the country. Rachel especially loves coaching and training emerging SNAP policy advocates and helping local coalitions defend and strengthen SNAP during state legislative sessions.
As the nation’s most critical anti-hunger program, Rachel is committed to making SNAP the strongest, most accessible, and most equitable program it can be in every community.
RACHEL COOPER
SENIOR CONSULTANT
Rachel Cooper is a seasoned anti-poverty advocate committed to food, health, and racial justice as she believes we are all better off when everyone has access to the fundamentals. As Senior Consultant, Rachel brings 20+ years of experience improving access to SNAP, Medicaid, and child nutrition programs to help coach and train the next generation of advocates to design successful administrative and legislative advocacy campaigns at the state level.
Rachel’s successful career as an advocate at both the national level and leading advocacy efforts in both blue and red states - most recently in Texas - give her a unique perspective and credibility to show others that equitable change is possible even in the toughest political environments.
ANNA ALMANZA
SENIOR CONSULTANT
Anna Almanza is a tenacious anti-poverty advocate based in Michigan, with a passion for advancing racial and health equity, social justice, and addressing the social drivers of health. Anna brings nearly two decades of experience in the public health and nonprofit sectors, improving access to federal nutrition and economic security programs, like SNAP and Medicaid. Often working within the intersection of policy and practice, Anna developed a particular interest in applying human-centered design in human services to strengthen and streamline public benefits programs.
As Senior Consultant, Anna is excited to leverage her skills and expertise in administrative and legislative advocacy at both the state and federal levels to support SNAP advocates across the country in their efforts to strengthen and protect SNAP in their state.
GABY HALLIGAN
PROJECT MANAGER
Gaby Halligan is a self-proclaimed nerd at heart, with a background in history, international relations, and real estate title and escrow. In her new role as Project Manager, Gaby focuses on keeping client timelines on track, manages coaching and training programs, and ensures both short-term and long-term projects are successful. She also helps support graphics, data visuals, and marketing tools for all internal and external projects.
Having close relatives who utilized SNAP, SSI, and Medicaid, Gaby has been passionate in her deep dive into all things SNAP policy and advocacy. She hopes to continue her work, not only as a project manager, but as a SNAP advocate to help increase access to benefits for all.
KATY HITCHCOCK
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Katy Hitchcock believes that consistent access to nourishing food is essential for people to live their best lives. Her previous role at a food bank gave her firsthand insight into the experiences of neighbors navigating the charitable food system and the inspiring work being done by advocates to improve food security. As RCC’s Project Coordinator, Katy supports the team in delivering high-quality and mission-driven client work.
Katy recently completed a term as Chair of the Chattanooga Food Coalition and served on the board of Slow Food of the Tennessee Valley. Katy approaches her work at RCC with the firm belief that what we eat is more than just sustenance; it’s connection, history, joy, and community, and equitable access to food strengthens us all.
SOFIA CHARLOT
RESEARCH ANALYST
Sofia Charlot is a social scientist with a passion for qualitative and quantitative research, food and racial justice, and sustainable food systems. As Research Analyst, Sofia supports the design, execution, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative research projects – synthesizing policy and research material to develop high-quality written material for clients.
With a background in mutual aid efforts between Black youth and Black Farmers in Atlanta, Sofia is dedicated to uprooting oppressive systems, institutions, and practices while supporting initiatives that create food abundance for all people.