RACHEL S. BERNHARD
Email: rachel@1216.io
Website: rachel.1216.io
Education
The American University, Washington, District of Columbia
Master of Arts in Psychology
May 2021
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Bachelor of Art in Mass Communication, Public Relations
Minor in Music, Vocal Performance
August 2017
Certifications
Integrative Women’s Health Institute, Online Program
Women’s Health and Wellness Coach
July 2021-January 2023
Becoming a certified health coach to advance my education and continue my passion of helping women who suffer from chronic illnesses.
Experience
Event Coordinator and Advocator, Baton Rouge, Louisiana/ Hybrid
October 2022-March 2023
Organize a screening of Below the Belt, a documentary about endometriosis, at Louisiana State University in coordination with several partnerships: LSU Panhellenic, LSU Women’s Center, LSU Student Government.
Coordinate a panel following the film, including panelist members Damon Cudihy, M.D. and Amanda Fitzgerald, D.P.T.
Outreach to all-girl schools in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Grand Coteau, Shreveport, Alexandria, Lake Charles, Monroe, Broussard, and Natchitoches to provide educational tool kits with information on endometriosis for school nurses.
The Mindfulness Center
Deputy Director of Operations, Education, and Research, Washington, DC
May 2021-May 2022
Assist the founder of The Mindfulness Center, Neuroscientist Deborah Norris, Ph.D. with nonprofit operations, as well as researching for and implementing online mindfulness and health programs created by TMC.
Assist in creating a digital team to support TMC becoming a digital-first nonprofit.
Research for and market to schools across the country to implement TMC’s Thriving Schools, Thriving Minds program focused on mindfulness, trauma, and restorative practices for students and faculty.
Research Assistant, Washington, District of Columbia
August 2020-May 2021
Conducted research under Deborah Norris, Ph.D., founder of The Mindfulness Center, on the topic of mind-body practices and lifestyle medicine to promote healing for different types of chronic diseases and mental illnesses
Board of Directors
H.Res.786, Washington, DC
November 2021- Present
Assisted in lobbying for National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day to become a nationally recognized day!
This bill would create more awareness for Microtia and Atresia and help people understand the struggles of those who have this rare congenital deformity and hearing loss.
H.R. 477 and S. 41, Washington, DC
July 2019- Present
Assisted in lobbying and writing bill H.R. 5485 (now H.R. 477) and companion bill S. 4532 (now S. 41), also known as Ally’s Act, which was introduced on December 18, 2019 by Congressman Joe Neguse and by Senators Capito and Warren on September 8, 2020. Both bills were reintroduced on January 25, 2021.
The bill would require all private insurances under the Affordable Care Act to cover bone anchored hearing devices and cochlear implants
Continuing to lobby for cosponsors, as well as working with the hard of hearing community to gain endorsers and support
Dress for Success
Style Committee Core Team, Washington, DC
October 2020- June 2021
Assisted in empowering, educating, and styling women in business attire who are seeking job interviews in the Washington, D.C. area
Lead an educational event (Fashion 411) for clients looking to learn more about fashion and psychology and how to apply the knowledge to interviewing for job opportunities.
Board of Directors, Washington, DC
April 2019- Present
Working on the passage of Ally’s Act with Congress and the Senate for insurance to cover Bone Anchored Hearing Devices and Cochlear Implants
Hosted National Microtia Awareness Day world-wide event on Zoom
Assist in voting on hearing device and college scholarship applicants
Serve as mentors to families by communicating with others via phone and e-mail
Attend annual Ear Community picnics and conferences
Social Media Coordinator, Washington, DC
April 2019- April 2021
Grew the Instagram account by 30% within the first year and became proficient in managing the nonprofit’s social media platforms to engage users and increase awareness
Assist with Ear Community’s Instagram marketing and day-to-day activities
Develop content to reach Ear Community’s support group, sponsors and beyond
Create, curate, and post images and videos to inform the audience and grow followers
Assist with Ear Community’s Instagram marketing and day-to-day activities
Saks Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue Club Assistant, New Orleans, Louisiana
February 2018- May 2018
Assist in managing the Fifth Avenue Club by working with stylists and clients
Guaranteed customer satisfaction by finding what each client was looking for
Attend and assist with various luncheons, designer trunk shows and in-store events to promote sales
Sales Associate
August 2017- February 2018
Sell mostly Ladies Contemporary clothing but also throughout the department store
Personal stylist for women’s ready-to-wear and formal events
Interact with customers and clients on a personal level during store events to promote sales
Work in a time-sensitive environment with multiple clients during the holiday rush
Communicate and follow-up with clients via phone and email to promote customer satisfaction
Seasonal Employee
December 2016- January 2017
Assist Director of Marketing with holiday store events to create a positive consumer experience with retail
Assist with holiday fashion shows to display Saks’ clothing
New Orleans Fashion Week
Brand Ambassador
December 2014 – March 2017
Promoted New Orleans Fashion Week through its social media accounts to recruit followers and attract an audience
Assisted with press releases and other documents for use in Gambit Magazine and New Orleans Living Magazine
Assisted in the production of New Orleans Fashion Week and preparation for other New Orleans Fashion Week events
Dillard’s
Summer Internship Program, Metairie, Louisiana
Summer 2016
Internship program, working full-time in retail throughout all store departments to become an effective sales associate
Shadowed and assisted department managers and assistant store managers with retail aspects of the company
Academy of Sacred Heart Creative Choice Camp
Instructor for Project Runway Class, New Orleans, Louisiana
Summer 2016
o Developed educational fashion programs for students and taught runway techniques
o Helped students design and create their own looks for a runway show
o Produced final runway show for each session
Ursuline Academy Performing Arts Camp
Instructor for Project Runway Class, New Orleans, Louisiana
Summer 2015
o Developed educational fashion programs for students and taught runway techniques
o Helped students design and create their own looks for a runway show
o Produced final runway show for each session
Child Theatre Productions
Summer 2007-Summer 2015
o Assistant production director, choreographer, and musical director for the camp
Ferro Financial, LLC 2014-2016
o Assisted with various office projects, documents, financial plans, phone calls, and digital filings for CEO, Shelley Ferro.