Rachael Ann Cox is a leader in sustainable development, specializing in the intersection of conservation, climate change, agriculture, and human wellbeing, with a particular focus on gender and inclusion. As the Global Director for Earth Empower since 2017, she has led a diverse team of consultants across the USA, Guatemala, and Mexico. Rachael holds an M.S. in Crop Production and Natural Resource Management and a B.S. in Agronomy with a minor in International Agriculture, both from Iowa State University. She also has a graduate certificate in International Nutrition Delivery Science from Tufts University and a Project Management (PMDpro I) certification. She is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Her work has supported a wide range of clients, including international and local NGOs, universities, government agencies and private sector companies, in 16 countries across Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and North America. Through her consulting, she has helped clients secure $41.5 million for projects between 2020 and 2024. Her expertise includes project design, grant writing, fundraising, and developing strategies for livelihoods and food security. Through these projects, Rachael has worked with institutions including NASA, Rainforest Alliance, World Wildlife Fund, USAID, The Nature Conservancy, and more!

Rachael has a strong track record of integrating social and environmental considerations into her work. For example, she has conducted Social and Environmental Risks Assessments for projects in Belize and Honduras , and developed Gender Analyses and Gender Action Plans for USAID projects in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. She has also published a book chapter on resilient food systems and the successful strategies of women and indigenous peoples.

Her leadership extends to project implementation as well. While a Project Leader for USAID Feed the Future Projects with CIMMYT and CIP, she delivered seeds to over 80,000 farmers in one year and opened a new country office in Guatemala. In a previous role as Collaborative Research Coordinator, she led a network of 55+ sustainable agriculture research trials across Mexico and Guatemala.