Rachael Hawk is a passionate creative marketer, entrepreneur, and death doula dedicated to using creativity and problem-solving to uplift marginalized communities and drive lasting social impact. Seamlessly bridging the worlds of digital strategy, storytelling, and community care, Rachael is a visionary leader who builds spaces for representation, education, and empowerment.
Current Impact & Strategy
Rachael currently serves as the social media strategist at UC Berkeley Law, managing 8 social media platforms for one of the world's premier legal institutions. She is also the founder of Otherside, an innovative end-of-life planning consultation company where she works as a death doula, helping people navigate legacy building and holistic planning.
Corporate Innovation at Facebook/Meta
From 2018 to 2024, Rachael was a Marketing Manager on the Small Business team at Meta/Facebook. During her tenure, she spearheaded creative strategies for major multichannel marketing initiatives, most notably co-founding the award-winning #BuyBlack Friday campaign to spotlight Black-owned businesses on an international scale, alongside driving impactful work for #SheMeansBusiness.
Career Path
Before her time in tech, Rachael thrived in a fast-paced news-marketing hybrid role, leading digital and social initiatives at Cox Media Group from 2013-2018. Her strategic foundation is backed by a BA in Telecommunication from the University of Florida and an MA in Digital Journalism from the University of South Florida.
Community Leadership
Rachael has a deep-rooted commitment to service. She is a former board member of iFLY Youth, a nonprofit dedicated to developing middle school girls of color into global leaders through international travel. Her extensive history of volunteerism also includes impactful work with the Urban League Young Professionals, Junior League, Boys and Girls Club, and tutoring elementary students through Reading Partners (AmeriCorps).
Literacy Connections
As the creative force and influencer behind @bookofrachael, Rachael curates a vibrant community that actively amplifies and celebrates Black stories through reading. Driven to cultivate intentional daily habits, she also designed and published two custom journals focused on reading and writing, both available on Amazon.