Rachel Canar is on a mission — to make Nature Israel a green beacon for developing solutions to climate change and securing a future for our children and for nature. As head of Nature Israel, she helps Americans harness their love for the environment and for Israel into tangible support for the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel.
Both an American and Israeli, Rachel is a bridge and cultural translator for both sides, helping American audiences understand the extraordinary work being done in Israel to protect birds and wildlife, develop climate change mitigation technologies, and share solutions across borders.
Rachel brings more than 28 years of professional nonprofit management experience with a focus on strategic planning and fundraising. After working for many years in Israeli nonprofits, she started her own consulting business, NGO Catalyst. The firm provided strategic planning and resource development for a range of nonprofit organizations globally as well as training for hundreds of nonprofit resource development professionals through her own school and several Israeli universities.
Previously, she was a Hillel Director and an Associate Director of a New Israel Fund regional office. In 2006 she moved to Israel to serve as the Director of Development at the Israel Religious Action Center. She also volunteered and served as a board member for several Israeli nonprofits and professional peer groups.
Having lived in Israel for 15 years, a majority of that time working for social change organizations, she combines her knowledge of growing organizations and community building with people who share values and are driven to advance the same cause and organization.
She holds a degree in Language Studies from the University of California, and a MA in Nonprofit Leadership from Brandeis University.
Rachel is a lifelong nature lover and environmentalist who has enjoyed hundreds of hikes and camping in Israel, from the Banyas waterfalls to the Timna National Park, from the pristine Palmachim beach to hiking the many mounts of Jerusalem. She is thrilled to be leading Nature Israel which feels like the role that she was meant for.