Driven by the values of social justice and equity, Rachel Hoge brings to APS & Associates over a decade of experience in fundraising, strategy, & communications across the nonprofit, governmental, and political sectors. A passionate and loyal leader, Rachel’s project management strategically builds capacity for teams. She operates with optimism, and her training in anti-oppressive practices helps to elicit respectful dialogue and inclusive decision-making. Rachel is skilled at using data and tracking to communicate progress and ROI for APS clients. She currently oversees the fundraising, political, and digital efforts for clients, as well as internal operations for APS & Associates.

Rachel’s career began in the nonprofit sector at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, working in corporate development and overseeing the Leadership Giving portfolio in the Major Gifts department. She then spent several years serving in executive leadership roles at direct-service organizations focused on violence prevention and youth development on Chicago’s West Side. As an Associate Director, Rachel supervised development and programmatic staff, while growing organizational revenue and leading strategic planning efforts. In 2016, Rachel launched her own consulting firm, Hoge Strategies, where her client work included: Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry, Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers, Special Olympics International’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, Gun Violence Prevention PAC, 40th Ward Committeewoman Maggie O’Keefe, and Kim Foxx’s re-election campaign for Cook County State’s Attorney.

Rachel is a regular volunteer for Democratic candidates across the country and is a long-time supporter of New Leaders Council, a national organization dedicated to training and supporting the next generation of progressive leaders. She served on the organization’s Diversity Committee, the Chicago Advisory Board, and is a former National Board Member. Rachel is a vocal advocate for racial justice and is a proud member of the LGBTQ community. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she received a Bachelor of Science in Advertising and an Interdisciplinary Minor in Gender & Women’s Studies. Originally from the southwest suburbs of Chicago, Rachel currently resides in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood with her husband Giancarlo, their daughter Vivienne, cat Leia, and dog Kylo.