Rachel Braun Scherl
Co-Founder, Managing Partner & Chief Vagipreneur® at SPARK Solutions for Growth- Claim this Profile
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Brandy Hipp
Rachel is the real deal, one of those rare people that you might be lucky enough to meet a handful of times in your working life that can have a profound impact on both your current situation and your outlook on your business and maybe even your place in the shared corporate culture. She has a Jedi-like ability to cut through the swamp full of thousands of irrelevant data points and find the one or two things that are really important to the actual success of your business and then craft those into a strategy that makes sense for you at this point in time. Rachel has used her considerable skills to support the growth of many companies, some of which are making a major impact on women’s health issues. Not many people have the ability and the desire to tackle difficult subjects, to stand at the forefront and be a voice for change when it matters most. I have been lucky as a business leader to receive the benefit of Rachel’s guidance in our strategy, and I am really lucky as a woman to have Rachel leading the conversation and moving the needle on women’s health.
Ashley Black
Short version: If you are a Founder /CEO looking to take your business to the next level HIRE RACHEL. I have never been a fan of consultants of any kind. Normally they ask you to fill out 100 pages of information, interview you for a couple of hours and then they deliver you a power point they pulled from google with your own details regurgitated back to you and some generic plan that a college intern probably pulled from a 5 year old textbook. Imagine my DELIGHTED surprise when Rachel and her partner did their own deep dive into my company website, social media, campaigns, interviewed my team, interviewed executives and thought leaders in the marketplace, and then provided me with a thorough overview of our customer profile and their journey, our competitive analysis, a thoughtful plan of action for growth, a well crafted story that I can use to communicate with investors and a piece of mind that I cannot put a price on. Rachel will tell you the truth (even if it's not what you want to hear), she will over deliver, on time AND for the icing on the cake, she is incredibly witty, insightful and fun to talk to. So, like I said, Hire Rachel. 😘
Brandy Hipp
Rachel is the real deal, one of those rare people that you might be lucky enough to meet a handful of times in your working life that can have a profound impact on both your current situation and your outlook on your business and maybe even your place in the shared corporate culture. She has a Jedi-like ability to cut through the swamp full of thousands of irrelevant data points and find the one or two things that are really important to the actual success of your business and then craft those into a strategy that makes sense for you at this point in time. Rachel has used her considerable skills to support the growth of many companies, some of which are making a major impact on women’s health issues. Not many people have the ability and the desire to tackle difficult subjects, to stand at the forefront and be a voice for change when it matters most. I have been lucky as a business leader to receive the benefit of Rachel’s guidance in our strategy, and I am really lucky as a woman to have Rachel leading the conversation and moving the needle on women’s health.
Ashley Black
Short version: If you are a Founder /CEO looking to take your business to the next level HIRE RACHEL. I have never been a fan of consultants of any kind. Normally they ask you to fill out 100 pages of information, interview you for a couple of hours and then they deliver you a power point they pulled from google with your own details regurgitated back to you and some generic plan that a college intern probably pulled from a 5 year old textbook. Imagine my DELIGHTED surprise when Rachel and her partner did their own deep dive into my company website, social media, campaigns, interviewed my team, interviewed executives and thought leaders in the marketplace, and then provided me with a thorough overview of our customer profile and their journey, our competitive analysis, a thoughtful plan of action for growth, a well crafted story that I can use to communicate with investors and a piece of mind that I cannot put a price on. Rachel will tell you the truth (even if it's not what you want to hear), she will over deliver, on time AND for the icing on the cake, she is incredibly witty, insightful and fun to talk to. So, like I said, Hire Rachel. 😘
Brandy Hipp
Rachel is the real deal, one of those rare people that you might be lucky enough to meet a handful of times in your working life that can have a profound impact on both your current situation and your outlook on your business and maybe even your place in the shared corporate culture. She has a Jedi-like ability to cut through the swamp full of thousands of irrelevant data points and find the one or two things that are really important to the actual success of your business and then craft those into a strategy that makes sense for you at this point in time. Rachel has used her considerable skills to support the growth of many companies, some of which are making a major impact on women’s health issues. Not many people have the ability and the desire to tackle difficult subjects, to stand at the forefront and be a voice for change when it matters most. I have been lucky as a business leader to receive the benefit of Rachel’s guidance in our strategy, and I am really lucky as a woman to have Rachel leading the conversation and moving the needle on women’s health.
Ashley Black
Short version: If you are a Founder /CEO looking to take your business to the next level HIRE RACHEL. I have never been a fan of consultants of any kind. Normally they ask you to fill out 100 pages of information, interview you for a couple of hours and then they deliver you a power point they pulled from google with your own details regurgitated back to you and some generic plan that a college intern probably pulled from a 5 year old textbook. Imagine my DELIGHTED surprise when Rachel and her partner did their own deep dive into my company website, social media, campaigns, interviewed my team, interviewed executives and thought leaders in the marketplace, and then provided me with a thorough overview of our customer profile and their journey, our competitive analysis, a thoughtful plan of action for growth, a well crafted story that I can use to communicate with investors and a piece of mind that I cannot put a price on. Rachel will tell you the truth (even if it's not what you want to hear), she will over deliver, on time AND for the icing on the cake, she is incredibly witty, insightful and fun to talk to. So, like I said, Hire Rachel. 😘
Brandy Hipp
Rachel is the real deal, one of those rare people that you might be lucky enough to meet a handful of times in your working life that can have a profound impact on both your current situation and your outlook on your business and maybe even your place in the shared corporate culture. She has a Jedi-like ability to cut through the swamp full of thousands of irrelevant data points and find the one or two things that are really important to the actual success of your business and then craft those into a strategy that makes sense for you at this point in time. Rachel has used her considerable skills to support the growth of many companies, some of which are making a major impact on women’s health issues. Not many people have the ability and the desire to tackle difficult subjects, to stand at the forefront and be a voice for change when it matters most. I have been lucky as a business leader to receive the benefit of Rachel’s guidance in our strategy, and I am really lucky as a woman to have Rachel leading the conversation and moving the needle on women’s health.
Ashley Black
Short version: If you are a Founder /CEO looking to take your business to the next level HIRE RACHEL. I have never been a fan of consultants of any kind. Normally they ask you to fill out 100 pages of information, interview you for a couple of hours and then they deliver you a power point they pulled from google with your own details regurgitated back to you and some generic plan that a college intern probably pulled from a 5 year old textbook. Imagine my DELIGHTED surprise when Rachel and her partner did their own deep dive into my company website, social media, campaigns, interviewed my team, interviewed executives and thought leaders in the marketplace, and then provided me with a thorough overview of our customer profile and their journey, our competitive analysis, a thoughtful plan of action for growth, a well crafted story that I can use to communicate with investors and a piece of mind that I cannot put a price on. Rachel will tell you the truth (even if it's not what you want to hear), she will over deliver, on time AND for the icing on the cake, she is incredibly witty, insightful and fun to talk to. So, like I said, Hire Rachel. 😘
Experience
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SPARK Solutions for Growth
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Business Consulting and Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Co-Founder, Managing Partner & Chief Vagipreneur®
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Jan 1998 - Present
Rachel is a co-founder and principal of SPARK Solutions for Growth, a strategic consultancy focused on growth. She leads healthcare company client engagements around driving top-line growth results for clients in pharmaceuticals, consumer products, health and beauty. In her role, Rachel works with cross-functional client teams to help them build their businesses by accelerating growth, identifying product/service ideas, and driving results. Rachel has worked with leading healthcare companies… Show more Rachel is a co-founder and principal of SPARK Solutions for Growth, a strategic consultancy focused on growth. She leads healthcare company client engagements around driving top-line growth results for clients in pharmaceuticals, consumer products, health and beauty. In her role, Rachel works with cross-functional client teams to help them build their businesses by accelerating growth, identifying product/service ideas, and driving results. Rachel has worked with leading healthcare companies, including Johnson & Johnson, Wyeth, Pfizer, Bayer, Merck as well as other world class service companies, like American Express and Disney. Rachel has a specific expertise in the female sexual health category and during her tenure as co-founder and President of Semprae Laboratories, Inc., she built and sold the company whose flagship product was Zestra, a female sexual health solution. SPARK Solutions for Growth is a certified Women-Owned Business (WBENC) and a member of the Women Presidents Organization (WPO). Skills in this Role: Marketing, Entrepreneurship. VC work, P&L Management, Turn-around, Team Management, Leadership Show less Rachel is a co-founder and principal of SPARK Solutions for Growth, a strategic consultancy focused on growth. She leads healthcare company client engagements around driving top-line growth results for clients in pharmaceuticals, consumer products, health and beauty. In her role, Rachel works with cross-functional client teams to help them build their businesses by accelerating growth, identifying product/service ideas, and driving results. Rachel has worked with leading healthcare companies… Show more Rachel is a co-founder and principal of SPARK Solutions for Growth, a strategic consultancy focused on growth. She leads healthcare company client engagements around driving top-line growth results for clients in pharmaceuticals, consumer products, health and beauty. In her role, Rachel works with cross-functional client teams to help them build their businesses by accelerating growth, identifying product/service ideas, and driving results. Rachel has worked with leading healthcare companies, including Johnson & Johnson, Wyeth, Pfizer, Bayer, Merck as well as other world class service companies, like American Express and Disney. Rachel has a specific expertise in the female sexual health category and during her tenure as co-founder and President of Semprae Laboratories, Inc., she built and sold the company whose flagship product was Zestra, a female sexual health solution. SPARK Solutions for Growth is a certified Women-Owned Business (WBENC) and a member of the Women Presidents Organization (WPO). Skills in this Role: Marketing, Entrepreneurship. VC work, P&L Management, Turn-around, Team Management, Leadership Show less
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Pulse
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Switzerland
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Real Estate
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Chief Development Officer
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Aug 2021 - Present
Breakthrough device and consumable platform to transform personal care Breakthrough device and consumable platform to transform personal care
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Business of the V
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United States
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Entertainment Providers
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Co-host
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May 2021 - Present
Dr. Alyssa Dweck & Rachel Braun-Scherl are co-hosts of Business of the V podcast and here to introduce you to the most fascinating inventors, investors, thought leaders and health care professionals who are in the Business of The V. Listen to Business of the V on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media for updates on new releases and more discussions about the business of women's health. The podcast focuses on the intersection of unmet needs and the businesses being… Show more Dr. Alyssa Dweck & Rachel Braun-Scherl are co-hosts of Business of the V podcast and here to introduce you to the most fascinating inventors, investors, thought leaders and health care professionals who are in the Business of The V. Listen to Business of the V on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media for updates on new releases and more discussions about the business of women's health. The podcast focuses on the intersection of unmet needs and the businesses being created to address those needs. If you are a woman, know a woman, have a business or care about your v health and wellness, this is the podcast for you. Dr. Alyssa Dweck is a gynecologist, surgeon and author. She's an expert on V health who explores what’s on other women’s minds when it comes to periods, hormones, breasts, butts and sex. Rachel Braun-Scherl is a marketing strategist, business builder and vagipreneur,, a person in the business of women’s sexual and reproductive health. It's complicated! Show less Dr. Alyssa Dweck & Rachel Braun-Scherl are co-hosts of Business of the V podcast and here to introduce you to the most fascinating inventors, investors, thought leaders and health care professionals who are in the Business of The V. Listen to Business of the V on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media for updates on new releases and more discussions about the business of women's health. The podcast focuses on the intersection of unmet needs and the businesses being… Show more Dr. Alyssa Dweck & Rachel Braun-Scherl are co-hosts of Business of the V podcast and here to introduce you to the most fascinating inventors, investors, thought leaders and health care professionals who are in the Business of The V. Listen to Business of the V on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social media for updates on new releases and more discussions about the business of women's health. The podcast focuses on the intersection of unmet needs and the businesses being created to address those needs. If you are a woman, know a woman, have a business or care about your v health and wellness, this is the podcast for you. Dr. Alyssa Dweck is a gynecologist, surgeon and author. She's an expert on V health who explores what’s on other women’s minds when it comes to periods, hormones, breasts, butts and sex. Rachel Braun-Scherl is a marketing strategist, business builder and vagipreneur,, a person in the business of women’s sexual and reproductive health. It's complicated! Show less
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Steering Committee Member
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Jan 2023 - Present
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the WHI partner with leaders around the world to address the innovation, research and development and investment gaps in women's health and the health of women. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the WHI partner with leaders around the world to address the innovation, research and development and investment gaps in women's health and the health of women.
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Springboard Enterprises
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United States
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Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
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1 - 100 Employee
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Member Of The Board Of Advisors
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Jan 2019 - Present
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Women's Health Innovation Coalition
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United States
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Hospitals and Health Care
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Founding Partner
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Feb 2020 - Present
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Ansella Therapeutics
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United States
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Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
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Member Of The Board Of Advisors
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Jan 2019 - Present
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GenBioPro, Inc.
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Canada
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Business Consulting and Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Board Member
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Jan 2019 - Present
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Board of Advisors
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Dec 2014 - Present
Rachel is an Advisor and ongoing speaker at The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University. Learn more about her involvement at https://centers.fuqua.duke.edu/cei/about-2/board-of-advisors/#rachel-braun. Rachel is an Advisor and ongoing speaker at The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University. Learn more about her involvement at https://centers.fuqua.duke.edu/cei/about-2/board-of-advisors/#rachel-braun.
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Sought-after Public Speaker
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2008 - Present
Rachel has presented to audiences on Business-Building and Entrepreneurship at hundreds of prestigious organizations including Johnson & Johnson Women’s Leadership Initiative, Healthcare Women’s Business Association, Pennsylvania Conference for Women, The Fuqua School at Duke University, Barnard College Athena Center for Leadership Studies, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (GSB), Yale School of Management, Fairleigh Dickinson Silberman College of Business and Montclair State… Show more Rachel has presented to audiences on Business-Building and Entrepreneurship at hundreds of prestigious organizations including Johnson & Johnson Women’s Leadership Initiative, Healthcare Women’s Business Association, Pennsylvania Conference for Women, The Fuqua School at Duke University, Barnard College Athena Center for Leadership Studies, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (GSB), Yale School of Management, Fairleigh Dickinson Silberman College of Business and Montclair State University Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship. “Rachel Talks” include topics related to: ● Business-Building in the Female Consumer Health Category ● The Keys to Success as an Entrepreneur ● Finding your Leadership Voice for female leaders You can find examples of her speaking engagements and attendee testimonials at http://amplifygrowthllc.com/ Show less Rachel has presented to audiences on Business-Building and Entrepreneurship at hundreds of prestigious organizations including Johnson & Johnson Women’s Leadership Initiative, Healthcare Women’s Business Association, Pennsylvania Conference for Women, The Fuqua School at Duke University, Barnard College Athena Center for Leadership Studies, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (GSB), Yale School of Management, Fairleigh Dickinson Silberman College of Business and Montclair State… Show more Rachel has presented to audiences on Business-Building and Entrepreneurship at hundreds of prestigious organizations including Johnson & Johnson Women’s Leadership Initiative, Healthcare Women’s Business Association, Pennsylvania Conference for Women, The Fuqua School at Duke University, Barnard College Athena Center for Leadership Studies, Stanford University Graduate School of Business (GSB), Yale School of Management, Fairleigh Dickinson Silberman College of Business and Montclair State University Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship. “Rachel Talks” include topics related to: ● Business-Building in the Female Consumer Health Category ● The Keys to Success as an Entrepreneur ● Finding your Leadership Voice for female leaders You can find examples of her speaking engagements and attendee testimonials at http://amplifygrowthllc.com/ Show less
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Formula XO
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United States
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Personal Care Product Manufacturing
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Board Member
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Apr 2014 - Dec 2022
Board member for innovative, breakthrough hair care products developed by a Georgetown Medical School professor and former NIH researcher that works differently to enhance and transform the health of the hair. Board member for innovative, breakthrough hair care products developed by a Georgetown Medical School professor and former NIH researcher that works differently to enhance and transform the health of the hair.
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Growth Advisor
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Jan 2018 - Dec 2019
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Flo Health Inc.
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United Kingdom
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Wellness and Fitness Services
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300 - 400 Employee
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Marketing Advisor
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Jan 2017 - Dec 2019
Marketing Advisor for Period, Ovulation and Women’s Health Platform with 12MM+ engaged users, focus on building strategic partnerships. Marketing Advisor for Period, Ovulation and Women’s Health Platform with 12MM+ engaged users, focus on building strategic partnerships.
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Kamedis Ltd.
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Israel
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Personal Care Product Manufacturing
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1 - 100 Employee
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Strategic Advisor
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Jan 2016 - Dec 2018
Strategy Advisor for DTC and retail skin care company focused on botanical dermatology, clinically proven products derived from traditional Chinese medicine. Strategy Advisor for DTC and retail skin care company focused on botanical dermatology, clinically proven products derived from traditional Chinese medicine.
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Board Member
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Jan 2008 - Dec 2018
Duke University alumni organization dedicated to women’s professional development. Elected to Board in 2008 after serving as guest speaker. Duke University alumni organization dedicated to women’s professional development. Elected to Board in 2008 after serving as guest speaker.
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LIA Diagnostics
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United States
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Medical Equipment Manufacturing
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1 - 100 Employee
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Strategic Advisor
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Jan 2017 - Dec 2017
Strategy Advisor for venture-backed flushable pregnancy kit. Strategy Advisor for venture-backed flushable pregnancy kit.
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Pandia Health
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United States
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Wellness and Fitness Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Strategic Advisor
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Jan 2016 - Dec 2017
Strategy and marketing advisor for company offering at-home delivery of birth control and/or prescriptions through high-touch, telemedicine model. Strategy and marketing advisor for company offering at-home delivery of birth control and/or prescriptions through high-touch, telemedicine model.
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The Clayman Institute for Gender Research at Stanford University
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United States
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Higher Education
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1 - 100 Employee
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Research Consultant
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Jan 2013 - Dec 2014
Research Consultant for organization committed to conducting and translating gender research. Research Consultant for organization committed to conducting and translating gender research.
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Semprae Laboratories, Inc.
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Health, Wellness & Fitness
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1 - 100 Employee
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Co-Founder & President
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Sep 2008 - Dec 2012
Rachel was the Co-founder and President of Semprae Laboratories, the makers of Zestra® Essential Arousal Oils, the only patented, topically-applied product clinically proven to increase feelings of arousal, desire and satisfaction for women. The company was backed by Quaker BioVentures and Versant, leading venture capital teams that invest in life science opportunities. In this role, Rachel built an energized team of people to create a new category, developed all aspects of marketing… Show more Rachel was the Co-founder and President of Semprae Laboratories, the makers of Zestra® Essential Arousal Oils, the only patented, topically-applied product clinically proven to increase feelings of arousal, desire and satisfaction for women. The company was backed by Quaker BioVentures and Versant, leading venture capital teams that invest in life science opportunities. In this role, Rachel built an energized team of people to create a new category, developed all aspects of marketing, positioning and communication to consumers, health care professionals, and leading retailers. She and her partner successfully generated a significant trial by new, loyal users through a wide range of marketing programs, both direct and retail, including doubling distribution in Walmart stores. As the national spokesperson and brand ambassador for the Zestra brand, Rachel appeared on multiple major news interviews on ABC, CBS, NBC among others. She built a massive national audience that contributed to dramatic brand growth and became known as the Vagipreneur™. Watch clips of Rachel's interviews on national TV below. Rachel leverages this experience in her work for her current female health clients and start-up advisor. Skills in this Role: Speaker/spokesperson, Healthcare Marketing, Entrepreneurship. VC work, P&L Management, Turn-around, Team Management, Leadership Show less Rachel was the Co-founder and President of Semprae Laboratories, the makers of Zestra® Essential Arousal Oils, the only patented, topically-applied product clinically proven to increase feelings of arousal, desire and satisfaction for women. The company was backed by Quaker BioVentures and Versant, leading venture capital teams that invest in life science opportunities. In this role, Rachel built an energized team of people to create a new category, developed all aspects of marketing… Show more Rachel was the Co-founder and President of Semprae Laboratories, the makers of Zestra® Essential Arousal Oils, the only patented, topically-applied product clinically proven to increase feelings of arousal, desire and satisfaction for women. The company was backed by Quaker BioVentures and Versant, leading venture capital teams that invest in life science opportunities. In this role, Rachel built an energized team of people to create a new category, developed all aspects of marketing, positioning and communication to consumers, health care professionals, and leading retailers. She and her partner successfully generated a significant trial by new, loyal users through a wide range of marketing programs, both direct and retail, including doubling distribution in Walmart stores. As the national spokesperson and brand ambassador for the Zestra brand, Rachel appeared on multiple major news interviews on ABC, CBS, NBC among others. She built a massive national audience that contributed to dramatic brand growth and became known as the Vagipreneur™. Watch clips of Rachel's interviews on national TV below. Rachel leverages this experience in her work for her current female health clients and start-up advisor. Skills in this Role: Speaker/spokesperson, Healthcare Marketing, Entrepreneurship. VC work, P&L Management, Turn-around, Team Management, Leadership Show less
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The Demeter Group
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United Kingdom
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Business Consulting and Services
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Partner
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1994 - 1996
As a partner in an established marketing consultancy, Rachel led multiple female consumer product revenue growth programs for Johnson & Johnson. Wyeth, Disney and American Express. In her work, she constructed and led key strategic and marketing engagements focusing on innovation, pipeline development, revenue growth models and new consumer opportunities. Skills in this Role: Healthcare Marketing, Turn-around, Team Management, Leadership, Strategy As a partner in an established marketing consultancy, Rachel led multiple female consumer product revenue growth programs for Johnson & Johnson. Wyeth, Disney and American Express. In her work, she constructed and led key strategic and marketing engagements focusing on innovation, pipeline development, revenue growth models and new consumer opportunities. Skills in this Role: Healthcare Marketing, Turn-around, Team Management, Leadership, Strategy
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McNeil Consumer Healthcare
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Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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Product Management
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Aug 1992 - Aug 1994
Rachel has built a long career in consumer health products. At McNeil Consumer, she worked in project management on its flagship TYLENOL brand. She oversaw managing product budgets, developing and executing marketing programs and advertising for a period of 2 years. Skills in this Role: Healthcare Marketing, Team Management, Leadership, Product Management Rachel has built a long career in consumer health products. At McNeil Consumer, she worked in project management on its flagship TYLENOL brand. She oversaw managing product budgets, developing and executing marketing programs and advertising for a period of 2 years. Skills in this Role: Healthcare Marketing, Team Management, Leadership, Product Management
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Education
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1990 - 1992
Stanford University Graduate School of Business
MBA, Business -
1983 - 1987
Duke University
BA, Psychology and Human Development -
Duke University
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Duke University
Community
