Meet the Team: Rachael Stark

We're almost finished meeting the team here at Wilkes-Barre POWER!

Today, our internal spotlight shines starkly on our fearless vice president and all-around nonprofit guru, Rachael Stark : program manager at Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) , committee member of the Riverfront Parks Committee, and passionate environmental steward.

Rachael brings her rich experience of the nonprofit world to her role as vice president with us, and time and again, that experience has proven valuable both on the day-to-day level and in the big picture.

Rachael has guided us through a variety of unique challenges over the last year and a half, from devising our new bylaws to reacquiring our official nonprofit status. You can't buy that kind of dedication!

If you still haven't met Rachael at one of our networking events, or if you want to learn more about what drives her every day, we've prepared this Meet the Team interview with her.

And so, members and friends: meet Wilkes-Barre POWER! vice president Rachael Stark!

Why are you passionate about environmental stewardship?

Rachael Stark: When someone tells us we've hurt them, we show accountability. We apologize, change our behavior, and help get them support if they need it.

The Earth and its creatures don't have a voice to tell us we've hurt them, at least not one that most people can hear.

I've always felt a deep connection to that and feel called to be the translator - to help people recognize what we've done and how we can be better.

Naturalist Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic concept is basically my scripture. I believe we can and should lean into harmony with everything, from the soil in the Earth to the birds in the sky, and we can do so sustainably without severe impacts to our economy or the way we live.

What qualities make an effective environmental steward?

Rachael Stark: Awareness, accountability, and ethics goes a long way.

You don't have to be a perfect, zero-waste eco-warrior to make a difference. Taking a trash bag with you on a walk in your neighborhood, replacing invasive shrubs with pollinator-friendly natives in your yard, and limiting your one-time plastic use are all effective ways to practice eco-consciousness.

Want to have an even bigger impact? Connect others to the outdoors, teach your community about outdoor ethics, and advocate for sustainable infrastructure to help enact lasting, big-picture change.

Tell us about conservation here in NEPA.

Rachael Stark: Conservation literally got its start in NEPA!

NEPA native Gifford Pinchot was best buddies with Teddy Roosevelt and helped him create the U.S. Forest Service. He served as its first chief and advanced the concept of Conservation - meaning "wise use" of natural resources with future generations in mind.

This revolutionary concept ignited the environmental movement and led to the creation of nonprofits that support wildlife preservation, natural resource restoration, outdoor recreation, and so much more!

At Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) , we are rooted in a collaborative and cooperative approach to conservation, and we have an abundance of partners doing amazing work in the region. This could get long if you let me list them, so connect with me if you want to learn about opportunities based on your interests and location!

Tell us about your role at Pennsylvania Environmental Council.

Rachael Stark: PEC is a statewide nonprofit working to advance community conservation and outdoor recreation. We are uniquely positioned to enhance regional trail networks, promote collaborative initiatives, and support other nonprofits doing conservation work.

In my role as program manager, I work to advance our commitment to laying the groundwork to make NEPA an outdoor recreation destination and a place where people want to live, play, and work. I manage our Statewide Waterway Access Grant program, which provides mini grants for non-motorized boating access, as well as our KPB affiliate - Keep NEPA Beautiful.

Why do you enjoy your role as vice president of Wilkes-Barre POWER!?

Rachael Stark: I get to be Rich Perry, MBA 's second-hand woman; what's not to love? <3

The role has also provided me an avenue to enhance my understanding of nonprofit administration and practice lessons I've learned in the University of Scranton Nonprofit Leadership Program, which I'm currently enrolled in.

What have you gained as a regular attendee at POWER! networking events?

Rachael Stark: What I enjoy most are the people. I really love meeting our members and learning about the amazing things they're doing in our community.

There are so many rock stars out there, and I love that POWER! spotlights people and nonprofit work in the region. I also appreciate our consistent support of locally owned businesses!

How can people get in touch with you?

Rachael Stark: Message me on LinkedIn or Facebook!

And feel free to message me again if I forget to respond (usually it means I looked at your message before my morning coffee and it didn't register, hehe!)

_________________________________________________________________________

Written by Michael Ruth

Michael is a professional writer and digital marketer whose areas of expertise include branding content, community marketing, and SEO. He is the founder of 1900 Digital Marketing LLC and the director of content marketing at Wilkes-Barre POWER!