Meet Rachel
“Nobody likes to sit down and listen to a talk about life’s challenges. But somehow, Rachel makes it all Okay. Her warmth and sensitivity, and especially her story, enables us to hear brutal honesty and embrace it, rather than fear it. Bravo, Rachel Kodanaz.”
—Ora DeMorrow, Senior Financial Advisor, Vice President Merrill Lynch
No one knows better how to embrace life’s challenges than Rachel herself. Overcoming her own adversity of being widowed at 31 years old with a 2-year-old daughter, she “wows” audiences with her down-to-earth, current and relevant presentations – helping attendees to reach their potential by embracing and learning from all of life’s complexities. Having worked in management for Fortune 100 companies, she is fully aware of the see-saw created when personal and professional challenges collide.
Rachel has been speaking passionately to national audiences of all sizes for 20 years, addressing all aspects of change, growth, and acceptance that comes with embracing life’s challenges – those expected and unexpected. Through her books, Living with Loss, One Day at a Time and Grief in the Workplace, Rachel offers a wealth of knowledge, inspiration and practical advice for those who have lost a loved one or are supporting someone who has lost a loved one.
Rachel released her third book, Finding Peace, One Piece at a Time, which provides encouragement and tools for those seeking to down-size, right-size or sort through a loved one’s possessions. Whether they are in physical or electronic form, those possessions tell the story of the person’s life. Rachel’s book shares practical ways to thin, repurpose, and redistribute these possessions so they continue to share the story with future generations.
Additionally, she currently serves on the Advisory Board for both Soaring Spirits International and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).
Rachel is available for speaking appearances, educational programs, interviews and community outreach.