Rachael McGinnis Millsap is a strategic bridge-builder, systems thinker, and passionate advocate for equitable food systems. With a career rooted in both soil and social work, she combines the heart of a community organizer with the focus of an advocate advancing food and health equity. As Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Food Circle, Rachael empowers consumers and institutions to make informed choices about local food while supporting farmers in building economically resilient businesses.
Her work has spanned classrooms, coalitions, clinics, and Capitol halls, always grounded in the belief that real change happens where community voices lead. Over the last 20 years, she has secured millions of dollars in grant funding to support and launch programs that strengthen regional food systems and improve access to nutritious, locally grown food.
Rachael’s toolkit spans cross-sector collaboration, building resilient and just regional food systems, and solution-focused interventions, all grounded in a deep understanding of the social determinants of health. Whether she’s managing budgets, writing grants, facilitating partnerships, or cultivating the next generation of changemakers, she brings energy, empathy, and creativity to the work.
She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science from the University of Missouri–Columbia. A lifelong learner and community builder, she’s also a longtime practicum supervisor who believes knowledge and growth should always be shared, not hoarded.
Outside of work, she is usually cheering for her two boys with her husband, reading on the patio or hanging out with her dog.