Rachel Décoste is a writer, DEI consultant, and recovering software engineer. She was named to Ottawa’s Top 50 Personalities in 2010 and Top 100 Accomplished Black Canadian women in 2018.

She speaks six languages and has been a dedicated community advocate since her youth, contributing to organizations such as the Children’s Aid Society, S.O.S. Montfort Hospital, the Famous 5 Foundation, Black Canadian Scholarship Fund, Big Brothers Big Sisters, among others.

She has been tapped by various media outlets to enlighten audiences on the challenges and opportunities related to diversity and multiculturalism: Radio-Canada, CTV News, CBC, Voice of America, etc. Her biting commentary and wry humour have been featured in over 150 opinion pieces about diversity in social policy and pop culture in the Huffington Post, Metro, Ottawa Citizen, Calgary Herald, Le Droit, Canadian Notes & Queries, etc. She’s also been quoted on CNN, Washington Post, Daily Mail, and Le Monde.

She was a member of then-Senator Barack Obama's presidential election campaign team in 2008 and 2012. She spent over three years living and working in Washington, DC, where she led a Congressional initiative to promote tech education across the U.S.

She holds a Bachelor’s in Computer Science (University of Guelph), a Master’s in Public Administration (The George Washington University), and a self-directed MFA from random YouTube videos. She has been a guest lecturer at several top universities in the USA and Canada.

Ms. Décoste currently splits her time between Ottawa and whatever sun destination she can afford.

Instagram: @racheldecoste_

Threads: @racheldecoste_

Tiktok: @racheldecoste