Rachel Kochany

Who is RACHEL

Consultant, Thinking Partner, Coach, Facilitator, with a background in Project Management, Business Analysis, Process and SAP Consultancy, Rachel worked for the British Council – a cultural relations agency – in the UK and Poland. She really enjoys seeing people tap into who they are, excelling in using their strengths and gifts – and loves gathering people with different worldviews together to agree a common brief, and be stronger together.

Rachel works with people from many backgrounds and countries – enjoying this richness and variety – and partners with them as they find out more about themselves, and connect their inner and outer selves for greater enjoyment, effectiveness, and impact.

She holds Thinking Partnership Sessions with Senior Leaders – providing a supportive generative space where the best ideas come to light, and are applied with great results.

Rachel is a licensed Time to Think Facilitator, excelling at partnering with teams as they become more creative, and effective. Mutual trust grows; other perspectives appreciated. Projects are explored, scoped, delivered sustainably, with greater impact and fulfilment for team players and beneficiaries.

By being easeful about what we do, identifying and harnessing our strengths and opportunities, we will do our best work.

Rachel is inspired by the great outdoors, light, space, colour and good design. She loves visiting art galleries and finds this renews perspective every time.

Experiences and passions

Rachel has managed global project implementations e.g. a major SAP implementation in the British Council, replacing 84 legacy systems; and numerous technical assistance programmes in Central Europe.

e.g. As Field Manager, Warsaw, for DIFID’s Know How Fund European Integration Project during Poland’s preparation for accession to the EU, Rachel prepared the ground with Government Ministries; Regulatory bodies, and Training Managers. Understanding needs; Gaining genuine buy in, as they identified the best way forward. This organisational awareness enabled specialist consultants to be well matched and received; got Key Stakeholders, Senior Change Owners, and operational teams onboard; so investment was targeted, effective, long-lasting.

As Conference Director for an innovative European conference in Krakow Rachel facilitated the transformation of a group of disparate Diplomats, Sociologists, Think Tank Leaders, Faith Representives, Academics, into a High Functioning Steering Group which defined, moulded, and presented Europe 2021: Beyond visible and invisible borders. Individuals shared their hopes and dreams, leading to deeper and more holistic engagement; more human connections. A Wilton Park delegate described the event as ‘refreshingly different’.

Rachel enjoys working with Government Ministers, City Mayors, Ambassadors, Senior Responsible Owners, Senior Department Leads, NGO’s, Programmers, Business owners, and Team colleagues in multiple countries; and in complex programmes.

She partners with people so they see they bring something valuable, of service to others, making the world a more beautiful place by sharing themselves – and seeing where they complement others.

Rachel specialises in coaching purpose and identity; legacy; working in international teams for the first time; moving to live and work overseas – and making the transition back again.

Clients

• The British Council
• World Bank
• UKIE Polish Committee of European Integration
• EC Phare
• Ministry of Justice
• Warsaw City Council
• Heriot-Watt University
• Budapest University of Economic Sciences
• Department for International Development DIFID
• Institute of Public Affairs
• Centre for the Advancement of Women
• Ministry of Tourism, Sofia