supporting anti-hunger advocates, nationwide

Founded in 2017, Rachel Cahill Consulting (RCC) is a specialty policy and advocacy consulting firm serving anti-hunger and anti-poverty organizations across the United States. With team members in Cleveland, Akron, and Atlanta, our team supports national and state-level anti-hunger advocates through custom training, technical assistance, strategy development, and project management to maximize their impact. The RCC team is known for our deep expertise in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), successful administrative advocacy strategies, and extensive expertise operating in politically conservative environments.

Since our founding, we have partnered with national anti-hunger organizations to create high-quality trainings, assessments, and policy reports that advance our shared goals of protecting and strengthening federal nutrition programs. We also work with state-level organizations to grow their capacity to create and execute effective policy and advocacy campaigns.

Rachel Cahill Consulting, LLC exists to support the many mission-driven organizations who are fighting every day to end hunger and poverty in the United States. In the near term, we are focused on making our nation’s most important anti-hunger program, SNAP, the most effective, accessible, and equitable program it can be in every community. In the long term, we are committed to helping build political will for a society and economy without food insecurity, so we no longer need programs like SNAP to supplement low wages and ensure every human being has enough nutritious food for an active and healthy life.

RACHEL CAHILL

Owner & Principal Consultant

Rachel Cahill is a long-time anti-hunger policy advocate based in Ohio who launched Rachel Cahill Consulting, LLC in January 2017. As Principal Consultant, Rachel works closely with partner organizations to design and implement high-impact projects that increase SNAP advocacy capacity across the country. Rachel especially loves coaching and training emerging SNAP policy advocates and helping local coalitions defend and strengthen SNAP during state legislative sessions.

As the nation’s most critical anti-hunger program, Rachel is committed to making SNAP the strongest, most accessible, and most equitable program it can be in every community.

RACHEL COOPER

PROJECT DIRECTOR

Rachel Cooper is a seasoned anti-poverty advocate committed to food, health, and racial justice as she believes we are all better off when everyone has access to the fundamentals. As Project Director, Rachel brings 20+ years of experience improving access to SNAP, Medicaid, and child nutrition programs to help coach and train the next generation of advocates to design successful administrative and legislative advocacy campaigns at the state level.

Rachel’s successful career as an advocate at both the national level and leading advocacy efforts in both blue and red states - most recently in Texas - give her a unique perspective and credibility to show others that equitable change is possible even in the toughest political environments.

GABY HALLIGAN

PROJECT MANAGER

Gaby Halligan is a self-proclaimed nerd at heart, with a background in history, international relations, and real estate title and escrow. In her new role as Project Manager, Gaby focuses on keeping client timelines on track, manages coaching and training programs, and ensures both short-term and long-term projects are successful. She also helps support graphics, data visuals, and marketing tools for all internal and external projects.

Having close relatives who utilized SNAP, SSI, and Medicaid, Gaby has been passionate in her deep dive into all things SNAP policy and advocacy. She hopes to continue her work, not only as a project manager, but as a SNAP advocate to help increase access to benefits for all.

SOFIA CHARLOT

Research analyst

Sofia Charlot is a social scientist with a passion for qualitative and quantitative research, food and racial justice, and sustainable food systems. As Research Analyst, Sofia supports the design, execution, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative research projects – synthesizing policy and research material to develop high-quality written material for clients.

With a background in mutual aid efforts between Black youth and Black Farmers in Atlanta, Sofia is dedicated to uprooting oppressive systems, institutions, and practices while supporting initiatives that create food abundance for all people.

SCOTT CAHILL

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Scott Cahill is a process, logistics, and numbers guy who enjoys coaching and developing others. As Director of Operations, Scott oversees finance, human resources, compliance, and risk management. He brings eleven years experience leading teams in operations, finance, customer service, and operational control. Scott is excited to help create lasting business structures that support the company’s long-term growth in pursuit of ending hunger and food insecurity.

Scott is a Teach For America alum who taught high school math for five years in Philadelphia and is passionate about educational equality and ensuring all children have the necessary resources to learn and thrive.

M. SOPHIE VAUGHAN

Administrative Assistant

M. Sophie Vaughan is a storyteller by nature, a writer and communicator by profession. As Administrative Assistant, Sophie assists the team with the day-to-day operations by providing support with internal and external communications and meetings, as well as calendar scheduling and project support.

For decades, Sophie has worked as a community and advocacy journalist, telling local stories and raising awareness about the Ohio opioid crisis and the path to recovery, local sustainability and environmental justice issues, and neighborhood community-building efforts. Having participated in SNAP at several points in her life, Sophie’s lived experience provides a unique and valuable perspective to the team.