Rachel Hermes

Rachel Hermes is a senior research and evaluation partner at Rotary International. Rotary is a worldwide organization comprised of 1.2 million business and professional leaders that promote local community initiatives with global action. In her role, she leads Rotary’s five-year global grant model evaluation to understand the effectiveness of the estimated $80 million of grants awarded annually.

Prior to joining Rotary, Hermes worked in the international relief and development sector for nearly a decade. While working overseas, she lived in Sudan, Haiti, Afghanistan, and Lebanon.

Hermes is from Dixon, Illinois, nearly 100 miles west of Chicago, and settled in Chicago after a decade living abroad. She volunteers with The Night Ministry Outreach Bus several evenings per month.

Hermes received a BA from Harvard University and a master’s in international affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. In 2019, she received a certificate in organizational evaluation from Loyola University. She lives in Chicago with her family.