Rachel Schmidtke

Rachel Schmidtke is a seasoned professional in humanitarian advocacy and policy with significant experience in Latin America, currently serving as a Senior Advocate for Latin America at Refugees International since November 2019. Schmidtke's prior roles include Deputy Protection Coordinator for Migration at the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Program Associate at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars where management of the Mexico Institute's migration portfolio was a key responsibility. Additional experience encompasses consulting for the World Bank on gender-inclusive projects, as well as gender and protection consultancy roles at the World Food Programme. Early in the career, Schmidtke worked as a Community Health Promoter with the Peace Corps, focused on health and education initiatives, and has held positions at USAID and Planned Parenthood. Academic credentials include a Master’s Degree in International Development Policy from Duke University and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Gender Studies and International Relations and Affairs from the University of Virginia.