Suzanne Rackl is a social sector leader with expertise in philanthropy, public policy, and organizational leadership. She has raised millions in charitable impact funds and earned income, is an internationally Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), holds a Certificate in Fundraising Management from Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy and has been responsible for resource development for organizations in New York, Tennessee, Florida, and the Mid-Atlantic region.
 

Suzanne is pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy with concentrations in policy analysis, resource development, and sustainable communities. Her doctoral research is focused on independent sector constraints within the free market economy and addressing the crisis of raising capital outside traditional charitable giving models at the nexus of community-based impact, leadership, and advocacy.  Her Bachelor's degree is from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, and her graduate work was completed at the Crane School at SUNY Potsdam.

As CEO of Strategic Impact, our independent firm serving the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern US with a vision of vibrant, inclusive communities with effective use of social resources, she leads a team working with foundations, civic leaders, organizations, and municipalities to catalyze community investment for the advancement of society and the common good.

In tandem with her role at Strategic Impact Ms. Rackl is an active volunteer and advisor for organizations including her alma mater Sewanee, the Institue for the Polarities of Democracy, and the Center for Democratic Values. She has led workshops around the country related to philanthropy, strategic impact, communications, and resource development and has served as a guest faculty member and advisor for certificate, graduate, and undergraduate coursework. In 2012, she participated in The White House's and Independent Sector's Initiative for Nonprofit Talent and Leadership.  In 2015, she began research and work on the global movement around social entrepreneurship and the effects of impact hubs on economic development and social justice progress.

In recent months Ms. Rackl has worked on a number of exciting community-based projects including a social impact bond project serving youth in the juvenile justice system, an innovative technology business incubator, and a statewide childhood obesity prevention initiative. She is also proud to be part of collaborations on sustainable agriculture, workforce, and affordable housing in several urban and rural communities, as well as to provide leadership for several community boards of which she is a member. 

Since 2017, she also has served as the managing director of a new Washington, D.C.-based think-thank working in the space of systemic social change, anti-racisim, and international development goals. In additon to the Director role, as a Fellow she is exploring the alignment between non-partisan democratic values and the United Nationss Sustainable Development Goals.  If you have questions about Suzanne's work or Strategic Impact's services, please click the contact link below to send an email.