Rachel Gragg.

Rachel joined National Skills Coalition in 2007. She directs the organization's Washington-based efforts to advance a national skills strategy within federal legislation, agency regulation and national funding initiatives. Rachel assists local leaders in federal policy advocacy both within Washington and in their home districts and works with National Skills Coalition Regional Field Directors and local partners to help improve state and local implementation of federal programs.

Rachel was previously a Senior Policy Analyst for the Center for Community Change (CCC), where she coordinated national efforts to engage grassroots organizations in legislative advocacy. Prior to CCC, Rachel was Legislative Assistant to the late Senator Paul Wellstone. Her work included negotiating successful legislative initiatives, including increasing the Social Services Block Grant by $1 billion.

Rachel has a Ph.D. and master’s degree in sociology from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Texas. She is based in Washington, DC.