Rooted In Community

“I believe the most effective initiatives are rooted in community, shaped by culture, and designed with the people they’re meant to serve.”

What I Do

I work with organizations and initiatives that want to strengthen the connection between institutions and the communities they serve. My sweet spot lies in bringing culture, innovation, and creative thinking into that work by helping organizations design initiatives that are not only effective, but also engaging, relevant, and grounded in the lived experiences of the communities they aim to reach.

My work often involves designing strategies that bring together:

  • community insight

  • data and policy

  • partnerships across sectors

Together, these elements help organizations develop initiatives that are both thoughtful and effective.

I’m particularly interested in how stakeholder engagement, place-based initiatives, and cross-sector collaboration can lead to more inclusive decision-making and stronger long-term impact.

At the center of my work is a simple belief: thriving communities begin when people have access, voice, and the opportunity to shape the systems that affect their lives.

Beyond Work

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy spending time in the garden, exploring neighborhoods through walks around Atlanta, binge watching competitive cooking shows, and resting in the islands.

My Path

My work is deeply shaped by the communities I come from and the spaces where I’ve worked. Growing up in neighborhoods similar to the ones I work alongside today, I saw how access to resources, education, environmental conditions, and public systems shape everyday opportunity.

My early career as an educator gave me a close view of how policies and institutional decisions show up in people’s lives, particularly for students and families navigating systems that weren’t always designed with them in mind.

Those experiences sparked a lasting interest in how institutions can operate differently: how community insight can inform strategy, how partnerships can expand opportunity, and how thoughtful design can lead to more equitable outcomes.

Today, my work focuses on helping bridge that gap by connecting the knowledge within communities to the strategies and systems that shape them.

Mckenzie Rae is a strategist and bridge-builder working at the intersection of civic engagement and community leadership. Her work focuses on connecting institutions with the communities they serve, designing strategies that translate community insight into more equitable systems and lasting impact.

Through partnerships, policy, and community-centered initiatives, Mckenzie explores how organizations can better align their goals with the needs and voices of the people most affected by their decisions.