Meet Rachelle Ramirez | Urban Planner and International Development Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachelle Ramirez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachelle, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Afghan Hope Foundation (Afghanhopefoundation.us) was born out of my personal and professional experience during my tenure in Afghanistan working for the United Nations and US Government (2008-2014). It also came about from a very personal place recalling how my family was uprooted from the Philippines due to the political situation. It was at the time of the Marcos dictatorship where most of family’s assets were confiscated by the government. My grandparents had to restart their lives in their late 50s while I came at young age of eight. When I saw the collapse of Afghanistan into the Taliban hands in August 2021. As a result, there was a surge of thousands of Afghans being transported into the US. I knew the road ahead would be rocky. The situation not only tugged into my heartstrings but my mind raced into what and should be done for those that soon will be pouring into our communities. I reached out to others who I knew served in Afghanistan and previous recipients of the Special Immigrant Visas accorded to Afghans who assisted the US Government in its mission in Afghanistan. We knew that our shared Afghanistan experience, knowledge and expertise would be valuable in assisting incoming Afghan families better integrate into American communities. Thus, Afghan Hope Foundation came to be to give Afghan Families the resources and tools needed to better integrate in their new home in America.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My professional path is not a conventional one but one that came about from taking risks and thinking outside the planned path. I started out as a political science major hoping to be in path for law career. After a time in Philippines working on the transformation of the largest US Naval Base in Asia, Subic Bay, into an economic Freeport, I became interested in planning. I took a chance to applying to the best graduate program for planning. To my delight, I got accepted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology for a Masters in City Planning. I had planned to work for the UN or World Bank afterward or go back to the Philippines and contribute to my birth country. In the summer after graduation, I was in Paris. And fell in love with the city and stayed for six years and was fortunate to have been able to work at the United Nations Education, Scientific, Cultural Organization. It is the only UN agency that I did anticipate working for but was fortunate to have able been. Afterwards, my career path took to the Massachusetts State House as a Chief of Staff. With my family life drawing me out of the professional path for a couple of years, I didn’t anticipate getting back into the UN. But I was presented an opportunity to work for UN Development Programme in Afghanistan. This path led me to work for the US Government via US Agency for International Development and Department of Defense. While my path was not what i had envisioned at the start, it is one I take pride in. Always have hope even when the path seems to have ended. Another path will reveal itself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since I live in the East Valley, I would take her first around Gilbert and Chandler. The downtown area of both are charming and lively. Since it is a Saturday, the farmer’s market in Gilbert Heritage areas would be a great start. If she doesn’t feel like tasting the offerings there, there are cute breakfast places in the Heritage area such as Snooze, The Farmhouse, or Liberty Market. In the afternoon, we can head off to Chandler downtown for a bite at The Hidden House. Then, swing by Saba’s for cowboy boots and a drink at The Perch with a look at some tropical birds. On Sunday, we can focus on Queen Creek for lunch at Olive Mill and a stop by Schnepf Farm for some fresh peaches and picks of vegetables. Monday we can focus on Phoenix in the Roosevelt area for inspiration of the arts and renovated neighborhood. Tuesday would be filled with Mid-Century neighborhoods tour. I would focus on Marions Estates, Marlene Groove, and Paradise Gardens. For the baseball fans, we can take side tour of the numerous stadiums of the Cactus League such as Chicago Cubs, SF Giants, and Seattle Mariners. On Thursday, a day stop in Tempe is a must for the campus of Arizona State University. The city offers great places for international food and lively streets filled with bars and shops. For Friday, there should be a stop at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West. One cannot neglect the influence of FLW into the Phoenix and Scottsdale architecture and design. After a tour of Taliesin West, we would head to Old Town Scottsdale for dinner at The Mission. On Saturday, we wind down in one of the many spas within Scottsdale. Had we had more time, Fountain Hills is worth exploring with new housing developments and growing restaurant scene by the Fountain. Phoenix area has so much to offer in the arts, architecture and nature.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Of course, I want to shout out to my family who continues to support and inspire me. Yet, what is at the center of being is my Catholic Faith. Whenever I get stuck, I go back to the history and stories of the saints, the Bible and the teachings of Christ for inspiration. I am in awe at the beauty of the Cathedrals and Basilicas and know that they are the manifestation of someone giving glory to God. Wherever I travel, I seek the stillness and peace that the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church in Kabul gave me the peace within a city, a country in the midst of war. In Uzbekistan, my feeling lost was erased by attending Palm Sunday service in the Catholic Church in Tashkent. The many Cathedrals in Paris gave me refuge from the weariness of living a city though beautiful presented numerous cultural challenges. This deep held love of the faith was instilled in me by my maternal grandparents and solidify by my parents and husband. My Catholic Faith is my north star that continues to guide especially in stormy weathers.

Website: https://afghanhopefoundation.us/

Instagram: @rachelleramirezdevelopment

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelle-tayag-ramirez-a257ba6/

Image Credits
Images were images taken me, or taken with my phone.