Rachel Merfalen designs and directs business workforce strategies, with a focus on how San Diego’s innovation economy informs local talent pipelines. She oversees a variety of business programs, including the Workforce Partnership’s COVID-19 Business Recovery initiatives, High Road Kitchens, and the Employee Ownership business conversion program. She is a practitioner of Talent Pipeline Management, and leads implementation of the approach through programs like Advancing San Diego and other regional talent initiatives to better connect education to careers, diversify high-growth industries, and address skilled talent shortages. Rachel is also an artist, writer, and entrepreneur with a BA in English. She is a small business owner and member of the San Diego startup community, and lives with her husband and young kids in beautiful, diverse downtown San Diego.