Get to Know Us
Philosophy
Oceanic Partners believes in the power of transformative models for social change. We seek to support changemakers called to different ways of being in relationship with each other, freed from social sector models that do not serve our collective liberatory dreams.
Oceanic is led by Rachel Reichenbach, PhD, a seasoned strategist, facilitator, and evaluator for social sector organizations tackling complex local and global challenges. Rachel’s approach combines cutting-edge practices with a deep commitment to collaborative, cross-cultural engagement. She has deep experience in leading highly effective teams, designing strategy and foresight processes, grantmaking, and creating and implementing learning & evaluation frameworks for foundations, individual donors, and NGOs. Recognizing the role trauma plays in the social sector, she is skilled at developing trauma-informed spaces for collaboration and engagement.
A lifelong learner, Rachel is also an active participant in professional networks, serving on several boards and presenting at major conferences. Her commitment to the integration of systems thinking and social justice underpins her work, as she continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of philanthropy and social impact. She is based in California, USA (Pacific Time Zone).
Rachel has a broad network of exceptional peers in the sector and brings in collaborators depending on a partner's needs.
Team
Origin Story
Oceanic Partners was born through the vision of several women who desired different ways of being in relation with peers and grantees in the social sector. With Oceanic, we seek to be true partners to changemakers, walking alongside and supporting with a positive and encouraging energy. We hold space for people to live into the full extent of their superpowers and bring their own diverse experiences to the conversation. We are committed to showing up as curious learners, with care, and in gratitude, to build collective power together. The following poem served as an inspiration for the kinds of spaces we seek to create for changemakers of tomorrow.
You are Oceanic
All she wanted was to find a place to stretch her bones.
A place to lengthen her smiles
and spread her hair
a place where her legs could walk without cutting and bruising
a place unchained.
She was born out of ocean breath.
I reminded her;
‘Stop pouring so much of yourself
into hearts that have no room for themselves.
Do not thin yourself, be vast.
You do not bring the ocean to a river.’