RACHEL VELASQUEZ is an award winning filmmaker and adviso driving change through compassion, equity, leadership, and storytelling. With over 10+ years experience, Rachel built and managed video teams for national organizations including Planned Parenthood Federation of America and The Democratic National Committee,  and the Mayor's Office of NYC. Her work stretches across several arenas including political, advocacy, narrative, documentary, brand, health, and education. 

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In 2020, Rachel produced, Ours to Tell, a short documentary film, with Academy Award winning director, Rayka Zehtabchi, and writer and actress, Natasha Rothwell. The film follows four individuals as they reflect on their abortion stories from years past and how it's impacted their lives today. The film premiered in New York City, was accepted to 30+ festivals, screened at 60+ nationwide events, and won several awards including best film.

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Rachel lives by the belief that real change starts with storytelling. She challenges the narratives of filmmaking both behind the camera and in front of it. She prioritizes building a safe, equitable, and trusting space for creatives. Her compassion to people, to the work, and herself, has achieved excellence. Her sensitive and bold spirit has sent ripples on the forefront of abortion bans, separated families, a global pandemic, and two divisive  US elections – and she's just getting started.

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I believe that we have strayed too far away from seeing people as people. Imperfectly perfect, striving to live in a world that is designed to shame, blame, and push.

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Rachel believes that to make change, we must reconnect with each other as people. Because we are beyond.

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When I 

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I never felt like I full fit in a space. 

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I was a transfer student, the artistic friend, 

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It took nearly 30 years for me to learn that being "beige" had its own superpowers. As I teetered on the fence between white afluent friends and systemic racism that boxed in students of color, I learned that there was a unique vantage point. Whoever said I had to choose one side or the other if I can sit above it. I was on top of the fence, and that form of being was enough too.

In embracing the paradoxes that make us human. 

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Writing has never come easy to me. Perhaps it's because writing is hard for everyone and honing the skill, raising your voice, is vulnerable. But I am also neurodivergent with ADHD and Dislexia. Often times I find myself having to rewrite all work and swap full sentence from the back to front. 

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Perhaps starting with a prompt will help. Letting go of the fear and diving into what I know. Just do it. Don't think. Stand in your humanity and vulnerability, hold your space, and reach for the connectedness of the universe around you. Then you take a deep breath. You're mind veers to swimming, stroke 1, 2, 3, release, letting the air escape through your nose , the bubble float behind you and chest flattens. Stroke 1,2,3.  Your hips, shoulders, and head turn in unison to the side, just, enough for a pocket of air to open for your mouth. Breathe in. 1,2,3.

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Hi Deanna!

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I have a story I'm hoping to get out publicly about Planned Parenthood Federation of America's treatment of women of color. I know that every few months a new article comes out, however this is a little different. 

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As the former Director of Video with a background in documentary and film, I would like to partner with The New York Times to create a documentary of my experience and several other former employees to shed light on:

 -  The toxic culture of reproductive organizations / progressive organizations that do not live by their mission. 

 -  Show the impact when abortion rights continue to chip away by our Supreme Court.

 - Reveal the power of corporate law and how very few laws really protect the employee.

 -  Strike discussion on the great resignation and how a work culture shift needs to happen and what that can look like.

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 - I want to do this to protect women of color at the organizations and health centers. I want people to hold PPFA accountable for their behavior.

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Last year I was terminated from my position as Director of Video , three days after returning from a nine week medical leave. Myself, and two other women were also terminated within the same year and seeking legal action for discrimination and retaliation. 

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Today, Rachel offers her services to like-minded communities looking to do the work and change the narrative. 

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