About
Meet Rachelle
Founder & Lead Consultant, Rooted Leaders
With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, leadership development, and community engagement, I am passionate about helping youth-serving organizations grow stronger and more effective. As the founder of Rooted Leaders, my mission is to support schools, community-based programs, and nonprofits with custom solutions that are grounded in care, equity, and intentionality.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with a wide range of organizations. I bring an experienced and holistic approach to every partnership, always ensuring that programs are aligned with their mission, responsive to the community, and ready to thrive.
At Rooted Leaders, I believe that strong leaders, empowered teams, and thoughtful systems can create lasting impact. My work focuses on strategic planning, curriculum design, trauma-informed practices, and family engagement—all tailored to meet the unique needs of each organization. Whether you're looking for staff coaching, program redesign, or operational support, I’m here to help you build a strong foundation for growth and success.
As a passionate advocate for early childhood education, I am deeply committed to influencing policy and advocating for the needs of children, families, and educators. I have worked closely with the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), actively engaging in discussions around legislative priorities, funding, and standards that shape early learning environments. Through my advocacy, I strive to amplify the voices of educators and families while working alongside state leaders to drive meaningful change in the early childhood sector. I take an active role in advancing policies that support equitable access to quality education, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive from the very beginning of their learning journey.
In photo: Commissioner Amy Kershaw, and Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler.
Rachelle was recognized as the Emerging Leader Award Recipient by the Children's Trust Organization
The Emerging Leader Award recognizes an individual who has worked in the parenting education and family support field for at least five years. This person has excelled in his/her/their role and has potential in making a significant contribution to the profession in the future.
This award is presented to an individual who goes above and beyond their work responsibilities and who makes a significant impact in the lives of children and families.
🌿 Rooted in Leadership: Rachelle Hannoush Named President-Elect of MAAEYC
Rachelle has been elected as the President-Elect of the Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children (MAAEYC) — an organization deeply aligned with Rooted Leaders passion for early childhood advocacy, community connection, and equity.
At MAAEYC, we are on a mission to create a vibrant and inclusive early education landscape by empowering and championing caregivers, educators, and uplifting young children. Together, we work to build a well-educated, stable, and fairly compensated workforce throughout Massachusetts.
As President-Elect, Rachelle continues to center her work around public policy, governance, and systems change — amplifying the voices of educators and families, advocating for transformative investment in the field, and fostering leadership that is culturally humble, responsive, and rooted in community.
At Rooted Leaders, we believe that change begins with connection, and I’m excited to bring that same energy and commitment to this new chapter with MAAEYC.
Let’s keep growing, together.