At The Rural Woman, we believe in the power of women to drive change, create impact and build stronger communities. That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome Rae Knopik as our new Business Development Manager!
With a decade of experience in fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and digital campaign management, Rae brings a wealth of expertise, a passion for sustainability, and a deep commitment to empowering women, especially those in rural and regional areas.
A Career Rooted in Impact
From climate advocacy to community-building, Rae’s work has always focused on creating meaningful, measurable change. She has secured multi-year funding for sustainability initiatives, built strategic partnerships across sectors and designed high-impact donor engagement strategies that connect organisations with the resources they need to thrive.
Before joining The Rural Woman, Rae led business development at not-for-profits nationally and internationally, where she played a pivotal role in securing funding and building strategic partnerships to support sustainability and community-driven initiatives. She also founded CBR Gals Network, an award-winning not-for-profit that has connected over 15,000 women and gender-diverse individuals, tackling social isolation and fostering leadership in Canberra.
A Global Perspective with Local Roots
Rae’s story is one of movement, growth and adventure. A passionate linguist who speaks three languages, she loves connecting across cultures and embraces the philosophy of “blooming where you are”, whether through grassroots organising, building sustainable communities or renovating her 14th-century home in Sicily. Beyond her professional achievements, she brings the same energy and determination to her creative pursuits; in her downtime you can often find Rae behind the pottery wheel.
What’s Next?
As Business Development Manager, Rae will be working to strengthen partnerships, expand the footprint of The Rural Woman. With her at the helm of business development, we’re excited to see new collaborations flourish and rural women’s leadership continue to grow.
Please join us in welcoming Rae to The Rural Woman family!
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Join THE Rural Woman today and start your path to a more confident and empowered life.
