Rachel Leatham

Experience

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  Great Books Summer Program

  Jun 1991 - Aug 1991

  Book Seller

  I sold reference books door-to-door to families south of Boston - 6 days/week (80+hours). I delivered a 45-minute (memorized) sales pitch, adapting to family circumstances. I participated in leadership activities and team-building.

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  Birds Eye

  Jun 1992 - Aug 1992

  Food Production

  I worked on the sweet-corn niblet production line. I prioritized quality control and speed. I had a lot of fun!

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  Sever Peterson's Farm

  Jun 1993 - Aug 1994

  Vegetable Stand Vendor

  Summers 1993 - 1994, I sold sweet corn and other locally grown produce to communities in the Twin Cities. I developed great relationships with customers. I delivered exceptional customer service. I focused on presenting produce in visually appealing way.

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  MSID: Minnesota Studies in International Development

  Jan 1995 - Jul 1995

  Researcher/Intern

  I researched the impact of a small agricultural cooperative on the attitudes of youth and community members, particularly on the perception of rural out-migration. I conducted over 50 interviews in Wolof with households of different ethnic groups to learn how ethnicity impacted perception. My research was supported by ENDA-TM, a development-focused NGO.

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  University of Minnesota

  Aug 1995 - Jun 1998

  Student Activities Advisor

  I advised 100+ student leaders in the production of over 500 campus activities each year. I brought back the first major spring concert, highlighted by the headlining of the Violent Femmes (major act) and fireworks. I promoted student leadership, collaboration, and community building.

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  Minnesota Center for Survey Research - University of Minnesota

  Sept 1998 - Jun 1999

  Graduate Research Assistant

  I developed survey instruments, oversaw data collection by telephonic interview, cleaned data, analyzed results using SPSS, developed reports with topline results for clients. Research topics included assessing financial literacy, understanding attitudes about teen pregnancy, and learning about the impact of resettlement of urban enclave dwellers in Minnesota. I was mentored by Rossana Armson, Director of the Minnesota Center for Survey Research.

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  SOZE / Czech Helsinki Committee

  Jun 1999 - Aug 1999

  Development Intern

  I secured 600,000 Euro grant through an EU RFP to bolster network of four refugee-assisting agencies across the Czech Republic. I launched fundraising effort with U.S.-based donors and foundations for SOZE in Brno. I visited refugee camps to better understand challenges and assets related to service delivery. I participated in regional immigration-related conferences.

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  Immigration History Research Center - University of Minnesota

  Sept 1999 - Jun 2000

  Graduate Research Assistant

  Under the leadership of Professors Rudolph J. Vecoli, David Roediger, and Erika Lee, I coordinated the interdisciplinary effort aimed at exploring Race, Ethnicity, and Migration at the University of Minnesota. Participants includes students and faculty from the Departments of American Studies, History, Geography, Asian Studies, Urban Planning, and others. I hosted bi-weekly discussion group. I developed and planned national academic conference engaging 150+ scholars on the topic. I launched an online journal. I developed marketing materials and engaged in outreach, including the development of a weekly campus-wide newsletter of related events. Show less

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  USCIS, International Affairs

  Sept 2000 - Sept 2002

  Asylum Officer, Presidential Management Fellow

  As a Presidential Management Fellow, I adjudicated humanitarian parole, refugee, and asylum cases in Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Arlington as well as Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, and Guinea.

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  U.S. Department of State

  Nov 2002 - Mar 2015

  As the Economic Bureau's staff coordinator on Africa, I advocated for stronger U.S. – Africa relationship on economic issues in advance of the 2014 U.S. – Africa Heads of State Summit. I coordinated our strategy and developed events with 30-plus economic officers to support White House objectives through regular engagement. As a multilateral development bank desk officer, I served as the State Department’s liaison to the African Development Bank and the World Bank’s Africa Department. As a safeguards maven, I forged a collaboration aligning multiple government agencies to ensure robust social and environmental safeguards in multilateral assistance and facilitated Congressional and civil society feedback sessions. As a development finance officer, I focused on Africa, provided economic development snapshot of countries and regions to incoming officers, including Ambassadors. As a seasoned subject expert, I taught, designed, and spoke at multiple courses within the U.S. government, including at the U.S. Foreign Service Institute, related to development finance, emerging economies in Africa, and fragile states. As an experienced State Department employee, I mentored incoming interns and new employees on how to navigate the federal system, create results, and build effective relationships. As a committed public servant, I served as an EEO officer, encouraging equitable solutions in the grievance process. Show less As a foreign policy officer, I negotiated a more effective UN system to reflect U.S. policy priorities, such as assisting with the establishment of the UN Democracy Fund and through various human rights instruments. I represented the U.S. at the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and New York-based United Nations General Assembly Third Committee. I authored and delivered statements on behalf of the U.S. at the various meetings. I trained and supervised over 20 interns, encouraging their participation in high-level meetings and events to fully experience diplomacy. As a Diplomat in Mexico City, I adjudicated over 25,000 visa applications in Spanish to facilitate legitimate travel to the United States. I determined citizenship eligibility and adjudicated passport applications. I oversaw the 2004 Presidential Election Oversees Voter process for U.S. citizens in Mexico. Show less

  • Foreign Affairs Officer/Financial Economist

    Jun 2010 - Mar 2015

  • Foreign Service Officer (Diplomat)

    Nov 2002 - Jun 2010
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  Chemonics International

  Jun 2007 - Aug 2007

  Development Impact Practicum

  I used this professional practicum to understand how to measure and communicate development impact. I served in the Knowledge and Innovation Department. I undertook focused research projects to address the measurement of foreign direct investment as well as the challenge of food security. I learned about development practitioners and the critical role played by the private sector to implement good development policy.

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  U.S. Department of the Treasury

  Sept 2009 - Nov 2009

  Pakistan Desk Officer (acting)

  I briefly served as Pakistan Desk officer for Treasury's Office of International Affairs in a temporary assignment. I analyzed and reported on Pakistan's current and project budget to policy makers within Treasury and the interagency. I used primary sources as well as secondary analysis in research.

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  Carleton College

  Mar 2015 - Jul 2023

  As Associate Director, I supervise two full-time staff members... ** In support of our experiential learning director, I encourage nimble programming to create opportunities (namely internships and externships) for all of our students. ** Our recruitment and employer engagement area is focused on excellent student coaching and outreach to facilitate great partnerships and employment for Carleton students. I encourage creative and sustained alumni conversations with current students. I seek out opportunities to develop and expand Career Center partnerships on campus and beyond. Working with faculty to complement their academic curriculum is particularly enjoyable. And, I'm planting seeds to develop a broader ecosystem of support for entrepreneurship on campus and beyond. During a leadership transition, I served as Co-Director of the Career Center (Summer & Fall 2018). In this role, I enjoyed maintaining continuity and supporting colleagues through the change. I ensured that we were able to maintain excellence while positioning the office for new leadership. Show less As Program Director for Internships and Experiential Learning, I supported domestic and international internship experiences to encourage learning and skill building, including by managing a significant funding program to offset internship-related expenses. I oversaw (and spent) current and endowed funds to award nearly $500,000 to students each year. I built and implemented a career readiness reflection program to engage students in skill development and learning. Our program includes preparatory goal setting; guided reflection during internship; and post-internship reflection and sharing on campus. My program was inspired by thought leaders from a unique mix of mindfulness, HR, and career development fields. I collaborated with academic partners, administrators, and community leaders to develop internships (on and off-campus) and auxiliary experiences to prepare students for life after college. I regularly counseled students on how to tune into their curiosity to drive the application process to secure satisfying employment. I encouraged creative career exploration through domestic and international pursuits. I provided excellent service to meet every student exactly where they are in their development. Show less

  • Associate Director

    Oct 2018 - Jul 2023

  • Program Director for Internships and Experiential Learning

    Mar 2015 - Sept 2018
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  Humphrey School of Public Affairs

  Jul 2023 - now

  Director of Career and Student Success

  ln my role, I provide strategic and specialized leadership, managing, planning, implementing, and continuously improving comprehensive student support and career development programs. I enjoy collaborating within the Humphrey as well as with external networks and associations to support student success. I coach students and alumni in their career discernment process, enabling them to not only take on meaningful work, but also to address some of the world's most pressing challenges.