This week’s Milwaukeean of the Week is Rachel, a fourth-generation local who left for college, then did what felt right: she came home. Now Director of Advancement at Versiti, Rachel helps power life-saving blood research while carrying on a family legacy of service and community impact.
In this Q&A, she shares why Milwaukee will always be home, what fuels her passion for giving back, and why she believes this city is one of the Midwest’s best-kept secrets
What is your background?
Born and Raised in Milwaukee – 4th Generation! Grew up in Mequon, lived on the East Side for 7 years, and now live in Fox Point!
Any stories from your youth that define your path?
Being born and raised in Milwaukee, I never thought I would end up here after college and I am so glad I did! I graduated from Homestead High School and went to Indiana University for undergrad.
Ever since graduating Indiana University, I happily returned to Milwaukee and I am glad to call it home. I am fourth generation Milwaukee, and I am happy to say our son, Micah is carrying on the tradition and represents the fifth generation in Milwaukee
What do you do for work now?
I work for Versiti as the Director of Advancement. I am responsible for fundraising for our world renowned Versiti Blood Research Institute and Versiti on King. Ever since I was young, I understood the importance of blood research, thanks to my dad, aka Milwaukee Legend, Dr. David Margolis!
Can you talk a little bit about your career journey? How’d you get to where you are now?
Before, I joined the working world, I was a Camp Counselor at the Jewish Community Center’s, Rainbow Day Camp. I absolutely loved working with children and spending my summers outside. Ultimately, I realized I was best suited for the corporate world and hung up my day camp job and decided a career in HR specifically in non-profit management was more up my alley.
I started my professional career in Human Resources at Children’s Wisconsin. From there, I also worked at Marcus Hotels & Resorts, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Novo Group. At the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic, I found myself looking for a job and happily saw a job posting at Versiti!
For the past 5.5 years, I have called Versiti my home professionally. I worked in Talent Acquisition for 5 years, and joined the Advancement team in February of 2025. Deep down, I always knew I would end up working for a non-profit organization that made a difference in our community. Being able to fundraise and advance Versiti’s mission is a dream come true.
Can you talk more about your community involvement or volunteer experience?
Ever since I was young, I remember my parents instilling the importance of giving back and helping those who are less fortunate. My dad being a physician, and my mom providing services to young kids with special needs, my community involvement started at a very young age. Whether it was volunteering at Children’s Wisconsin or the Jewish Community Center.
Once I was old enough, I served on the MACC Fund Emerging Leader board and Versiti’s Junior Advisory Board. From a young age, I understood the importance of giving back to the community we live in.
What are some ways you have impacted the community in your line of work?
In this role, I feel like I am impacting our community every single day! Whether it is talking about how Versiti saves lives daily through blood donations or raising money and awareness about the importance of blood research.
It brings me so much joy when someone says they will donate blood and financially support our institution. One blood donation can save up to 3 lives, and supporting Versiti financially gives others hope for more cures. The blood stays local here in Milwaukee as well, so we know we are helping our neighbors in need.
What do you like about living in Milwaukee?
I love the community we live in and that everything is driving distance. I love going to Bucks, Brewers and Packers games with family and friends and trying new restaurants.
My favorite part about living here though is my entire immediate family resides in the Greater Milwaukee area. My mom, dad, sister, and mother and father in law. It is a great place for my husband Charlie and I to raise our son, as most of our village is here.
What do you want to see for Milwaukee’s future?
I want to continue to see Milwaukee grow and become a destination for more young people. I always say, Milwaukee is the hidden gem in the Midwest. Once I get my New York and Chicago friends to visit, they quickly see why I decided to call Milwaukee home.
The way Milwaukee has changed since I moved back since 2013 is incredible. Selfishly, I hope we see another Milwaukee Bucks championship and a Milwaukee Brewers championship.
Anything else we should know about you, your job, community involvement, or life in general?
I am lucky enough to have found love in the COVID-19 pandemic and met my now husband, Charlie Goodman. Ironically, Charlie is a funeral director at Blane Goodman Funeral Service and I first met him at my grandfather’s funeral for the first time.
Four years after the funeral, we matched on Hinge and met for a picnic in Lake Park and the rest is history! Charlie is kind, caring, compassionate, and quite frankly a mensch. There is no one else I would rather be chasing a toddler around with than him.
We are lucky to call Milwaukee home and look forward to seeing how Milwaukee continues to evolve over the next several years.