Ms. Rachael Nash has nearly two decades of professional experience in Micronesia in conservation, protected area and sustainable land management, fundraising and development. She started in Yap in 2005 as a volunteer teacher on an outer island, supported sea turtle monitoring at the Palau Bureau of Marine Resources, and worked on various state and community projects as a grant writer for the Yap State Government from 2009-2015. Ms. Nash was the Regional Coordinator for the Micronesia Challenge from 2015-2019, and then spent time as a consultant before being hired by DECEM in 2020. Ms. Nash was with the FSM GEF 5 Ridge to Reef Project, and joined the FSM GEF 7 LDN Project team in early 2024 as the National Technical Coordinator.

Ms. Nash holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Art, with an Environmental Studies minor, from Hiram College, Ohio. Prior to moving to the islands, she conducted field research, was a resident biological station assistant, and worked in outdoor environmental education. In addition to her work, she volunteers for the US Embassy in Pohnpei, FSM, and for the Yap Animal Protection Society to bring veterinary services to Yap.