Rachel Alkon is a strategic communications and public affairs professional with deep expertise in food systems, sustainability, and social-impact issues. She has 15 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, major foundations, and nonprofits.
In 2022, she launched Alkon & Co, a boutique communications firm advising purpose-driven organizations tackling some of today’s most pressing global issues, from climate change and gender equality to the global nutrition epidemic.
Prior, Rachel served as the Head of Communications and Public Affairs at Bowery Farming, the largest U.S. vertical farming company. In her time at Bowery, she elevated the CEO’s profile, announced $450 million in funding, and secured features in top-tier outlets, from The New York Times and CNBC to Bloomberg and Fortune. She also managed the company’s partnerships with food banks and rescue organizations bringing fresh produce to urban communities. In 2021, Rachel was named one of the top Changemakers in Public Relations by PR News.
Rachel joined Bowery from Whole Foods Market, where she led global public affairs. At Whole Foods, she advised the company’s executive leadership team on food policy and sustainability issues/legislation and drove cross-sector partnership and engagement efforts with NGOs, industry groups, and advocates. Prior, she was a Director at Brunswick Group, a strategic communications firm, and advised clients, including Anheuser-Busch InBev, The Gates Foundation, and PepsiCo. Rachel earned a Master’s in Food Systems and Policy from New York University and a B.A. in English with Honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Rachel serves on the Boards of Wellness in the Schools, a nonprofit that brings healthy eating and fitness to public school children, and the Shames JCC in Tarrytown. She lives in Westchester with her husband Marc, and their two young children, Max and Mia. Her hobbies include hiking, visiting farmer’s markets, and experimenting in the kitchen.