About Rachel

Rachel DiBella is a gender equity leader, national speaker, and trauma-informed clinical social worker dedicated to helping people and professional organizations thrive in their pursuit of equity, growth, and social justice. With a practice committed to anti-oppression principles and authentic collaboration, Rachel has sought for more than a decade to ensure that all those who engage in services will feel supported, informed and empowered.

Rachel leads organizational initiatives in advancing gender equity and inclusion, in addition to faculty roles in social work, victimology & justice studies at institutions across Greater Boston. Rachel has extensive experience conducting in group facilitation, program implementation and evaluation, strategic planning, organizational assessment, and leadership development consultation and training.

Throughout her career, Rachel has served organizations spanning healthcare, legal, and higher education systems. In addition to other roles, Rachel is currently pursuing a Doctor of Psychology, examining equity in organizational behavior and leadership, as a doctoral fellow in the Center for Multicultural and Global Mental Health at William James College.

With an MSW and LICSW in Boston, Rachel is licensed to practice psychotherapy in Massachusetts.

Recent speaking & Presentations

  • “Prevention in Action: Using Bystander Intervention to Promote Gender Equity & Inclusion among Leaders” | Poster Session | NASPA Strategies Conference January 2020

  • “Using Primary Prevention to Increase Equity & Inclusion” | Poster Session | Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Conference | Harvard University | 2019

  • Moderator, “How Data Drives Change” Leadership Panel | Harvard Hears You: Summit for Gender Equity | Harvard University | April 2, 2019

  • "Bringing Social Movements into the Classroom in the Age of #metoo | Center for Teaching Excellence | Boston, MA | May 7, 2018

  • Being Better Bystanders in the Workplace | Questrom School of Business Diversity & Inclusion Summit | Boston University | April 21, 2018

  • "Justice through Faith: from #metoo to #blacklivesmatter" | United Church of Christ | Bedford, MA | April 4, 2018

  • Response as Prevention: Effective Resources for Sexual Harassment & Assault | NWSA Women's Centers Committee | Baltimore, MD | November 15, 2017

contact rachel@wakingminds.org to request a complete curriculum vitae

Education

 

degrees

  • Doctor of Psychology (Candidate) | William James College | Expected 2024

  • Master of Social Work | Boston College | Dean's Leadership Award

  • Bachelor of Arts in English | Framingham State University | summa cum laude

Licensing & Additional Studies

  • Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker | Massachusetts | No. 120923

  • Project Management Essentials | Boston College | 2018

  • Graduate Studies | Women's Health & Human Rights | Suffolk University

  • International Studies | University of Westminster | London, England, UK

Clinical training

  • Fenway Community Health | Behavioral Health | Psychotherapy

  • Newton Wellesley Hospital | Domestic & Sexual Violence Program

learn more about Rachel’s professional experience at linkedin.com/in/racheldibella

awards & Affiliations

  • Doctoral Fellow | Center for Multicultural and Global Mental Health | 2020-

  • Member | Boston Facilitators Roundtable | 2020-

  • Division of Student Affairs | Best Program Evaluation | 2017

  • Excellence in Service Award | Boston College | 2015

  • Dean's Leadership Award | Boston College | 2014

  • Betsy Harter Scholarship Award for Departmental Excellence | 2007

  • Brown University Book Award for Writing | 2004

news & press

published Pieces

“How Can We Use Social Work Values To Guide Our Actions Online?” (Social Work Voice Magazine, July 2019. National Association of Social Workers. Boston, MA)

Proclaim Your Worth

Additional pieces in press. Available upon request.

Acknowledgements

Waking Minds strives to acknowledge the interdependence of individuals and organizations, and a history of practices that have not honored the labors of intellectual ancestors who are often uncredited in their healing, social justice and anti-oppression work. Waking Minds must express gratitude to many individuals and women’s organizations, and especially the work of queer Black folks’ and women’s resistance and solidarity movements, for their contributions and influence. 

These include and are not limited to:

  • Alicia Garza

  • bell hooks

  • Sara Ahmed

  • Kimberlé Crenshaw

  • Greta Spoering

  • Tiffany Enos

  • Katie Dalton

  • Tarana Burke, INCITE!

  • Régine Jean-Charles

  • Angela Davis

  • Breanna Goodrow