Driven by a commitment to social justice and equity, Rachel Hoge brings more than fifteen years of experience leading strategy, operations, fundraising, and communications across the nonprofit, governmental, and political sectors. As Executive Vice President at APS & Associates, Rachel oversees Client Services and Internal Operations, partnering with organizations, campaigns, and public institutions to build disciplined, scalable systems that deliver results.

At APS, Rachel leads and supports complex engagements across issue advocacy, government, and electoral work. Her portfolio has included strategic advising for Cook County Health’s Office of Behavioral Health, U.S. Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Illinois Partners for Human Service, Bally’s Chicago, and Rainbow PUSH, among others. Across these efforts, Rachel is known for tightening political and organizational operations, strengthening fundraising infrastructure, aligning communications with strategy, and ensuring teams have the tools and systems needed to execute effectively.

Rachel’s work is grounded in anti-oppressive practices and inclusive decision-making, allowing her to facilitate respectful dialogue and lead complex efforts across diverse stakeholders. She is particularly skilled at translating data into actionable insights, helping clients clearly track progress, demonstrate return on investment, and make informed strategic decisions.

Rachel began her career at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, where she worked in corporate development and managed the Leadership Giving portfolio within the Major Gifts department. She later served in executive leadership roles at direct-service organizations on Chicago’s West Side focused on violence prevention and youth development. As an Associate Director, she supervised development and program staff, led strategic planning efforts, and significantly increased organizational revenue.

In 2016, Rachel founded Hoge Strategies, a consulting firm serving political candidates, advocacy organizations, and nonprofits. Her clients included Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers, Special Olympics International’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, Gun Violence Prevention PAC, Kim Foxx’s re-election campaign for Cook County State’s Attorney, and more. She joined APS & Associates in 2020 to expand the firm’s fundraising and digital services and has since become a key member of the firm’s executive leadership team.

Outside of her professional work, Rachel is deeply engaged in civic life. She volunteers regularly for Democratic candidates across the country and is the founder of Politics & Coffee, a monthly community-based political organizing series in Chicago’s Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood. A longtime supporter of New Leaders Council, Rachel has served on its Diversity Committee, Chicago Advisory Board, and National Board.

Rachel is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Advertising with an interdisciplinary minor in Gender & Women’s Studies. Originally from Chicago’s southwest suburbs, she now lives in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood with her husband, Giancarlo and their daughters Vivienne and Scarlett.