Rachelle received her Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from the Milano School for Management and Urban Policy in New York City in 2017.  Prior to that, Ms. Suissa completed a Master of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in American Government from Brooklyn College in 2010.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in History and Women’s and Gender Studies from Pace University in New York City in 2008.  She was currently elected to her third year as President of the Board of Dare to Run, Inc.  She also currently sits on the Junior Advisory Board for the Leopold Schepp Scholarship Foundation Event Planning Committee. 

Rachelle has worked in the education, nonprofit, and government sector.  She taught as a Professor of American Government and Global Politics for three years at CUNY Brooklyn College.  She also worked as the Manager of the Quality of Life Innovations Program for Working in Support of Education, a research competition for NYC High School Students in which they select a quality of life issue, generate a research proposal and come up with an innovative solution to the proposed issue.  The finalists in the competition received scholarships to attend college.  In addition to her work in the education sector, Ms. Suissa has also worked with nonprofits such as the Henry Street Settlement and Project You, Inc in the capacity of program coordinator and outreach director to advance their mission of youth employment, education and adult literacy and training. 

Rachelle is committed to the mission of building the pipeline of female leaders across the country and believes in the power of women to change their communities through public service.   Prior to founding Dare to Run, Ms. Suissa served on the Board of the Brooklyn-Queens Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW), both as President from 2006-2013 and as Vice President from 2005-2007.  She attend State and National NOW Chapter meetings and served as a delegate for the organization on behalf of her chapter; she also coordinated events to promote community engagement and built up the chapter's presence significantly on social media.  Ms. Suissa has also volunteered with organizations including NARAL, Planned Parenthood, and the Young Women’s Leadership Network.  In addition, Ms. Suissa oversees the activities of the board of Dare to Run, the recruitment of volunteer instructors for the training program, recruitment of participants to complete the training program, as well as monthly events, board meetings and social media campaigns and visibility for the organization.  Currently Rachelle serves as Site Lead Supervisor for the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation. 

Ms. Suissa currently resides in South Brooklyn with her husband and 1 year old son where she has lived for the past 34 years.