Founder + Principal

Rachael A. Tanner has dedicated her life to generating positive social change.  A passion for leadership development in tandem with strategic thinking undergirds her work.  Rachael is committed to developing strong systems and leaders that support institutions and organizations. United through these institutions, we create positive change.

Rachael previously served as the Assistant Director of Planning & Development Services for the City of Palo Alto, assuming this leadership role in June 2019. She has served local governments since 2013; serving the City and County of San Francisco (2016-2018) and the City of Long Beach (2013-2016). In the late 2000’s, Rachael served as Executive Director of Interfaith Strategy for Advocacy and Action in the Community (ISAAC), a community-based organization in Kalamazoo, Michigan. There she learned how to organize, build winning coalitions for policy change, and hold the government accountable to implementing successful programs.

She earned her Political Science Bachelor’s Degree with minors in Spanish and also Urban Studies from the University of Michigan. Rachael earned her Master’s in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She focused on Housing, Community, Economic Development. Rachael is also a certified and practicing life and leadership coach.

Rachael lives in San Francisco. In her free time, she serves as a member of the San Francisco Planning Commission and officiates weddings through her business Officially Hitched and explores the peaks and valleys of California.