Meet the Regional Chair: Rachel Carroll

Meet Rachel Carroll, Regional Chair for the North America Alumni Network. Rachel chats with us about her background and shares her vision for building a vibrant, connected alumni community across North America.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your professional background and your journey?

When I graduated from WBS in 2000, I wasn’t fixed on a single career path. I wanted to learn as much as possible, meet interesting people, and travel. I began working in the City—it was exhilarating to be in the heart of the action, though I wasn’t sure it was my long-term fit. One day, a strategist taught me to read charts and interpret financial data, showing how the blinking lights on my Bloomberg screen were tied to millions of micro-decisions by people around the world. I was hooked. Finance is about business and regulation, but the key to success is people and relationships.

After several years working in growth equities in London, I moved to New York in 2008 to join a technology company commercializing a lithium-ion battery asset from Argonne National Laboratory. The plan was ambitious—we needed to take the company public and raise significant capital, I had responsibility for investor, public and government relations. With Tesla in the headlines and renewables a focal point for the current administration, the timing felt right. What I hadn’t expected was to have a front-row seat to the Great Financial Crash and its impact on Wall Street. The journey brought highs and lows—Obama referenced our company in a televised address as a beacon of success and job creation, yet the technology proved too early to commercialize. That experience taught me a lot about raising finance and the challenges of scaling early-stage growth companies.

In recent years, I’ve had the privilege of advising C-suite executives and boards of public and private companies on strategies to access investment capital, internationalize operations, and navigate the global capital markets. I also serve on boards in both volunteer roles and as an independent director. I thrive on problem-solving with smart, diverse minds, choosing projects that leverage my networks and experience while allowing me to grow. Looking back, the roles and titles have shifted, but the relationships I’ve built remain the constant thread that has shaped my career.

What motivated you to take on the role of chair for the regional alumni network?

During the pandemic, I joined a WBS panel for International Women’s Day. As a woman in business and finance, I often seek ways to connect with senior female executives to share experiences and community. The panel brought together leaders from across the globe—and reminded me how diverse and international our alumni truly are.

When I was invited to serve as the first female chair for North America, I felt deeply honored. It was also energizing to see WBS’s commitment to strengthening its global alumni network. For me, this role is both a privilege and a responsibility—to help knit together a community that is as vibrant and international as the school itself.

What are some of your proudest achievements?

Although our journey is still at an early stage, I’m proud of the foundation we’ve built. When we launched in North America, I decided to host the first alumni gathering at my home. Professor Christian Stadler was visiting and kindly agreed to present a synopsis of his new book. We hired a Brooklyn bartender, bought snacks, and built a playlist. Then a freak thunderstorm rolled in—I thought no one would show. To my surprise, about eighty alumni arrived, huddling around the fireplace to hear Christian before the skies cleared and we enjoyed cocktails on the terrace.

We’ve had many get-togethers since, but that first evening remains special. People stayed chatting until 1am, and it set the tone for what our community could be—welcoming, resilient, and connected by curiosity.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the alumni community?

There’s an openness at WBS alumni events where people connect through shared experiences. It feels like a space where it’s safe to explore ideas, challenge perspectives, and bring professional insights to the table. I’ve particularly enjoyed sessions where professors present their research and North American alumni add their own professional lens to the discussion.

I’ve made several new friends through the network, and for me, it’s the caliber of conversation—and the caliber of people—that make this such a rewarding community.

What is your vision for the regional alumni network?

My vision is to build a vibrant, self-sustaining network that strengthens bonds among alumni across North America while reinforcing WBS’s mission: to develop and inspire people to be catalysts for change. I see the network as a platform where alumni can connect, collaborate, and contribute—supporting one another professionally, amplifying WBS’s voice globally, and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

What are the key goals you hope to achieve?

Our priorities reflect both WBS’s global values and North America’s unique opportunities. We aim to:

Strengthen our community: Develop active city hubs across North America and foster genuine peer-to-peer connections. We are currently recruiting city leads in locations where we have a critical mass of alumni.

Drive mutual value: Ensure alumni benefit through career development, networking, and industry insights—while also encouraging them to give back via professional insights, speaking, or philanthropy.

Enhance visibility and influence: Position WBS as a thought-leadership presence in North America through alumni spotlights, faculty research showcases, and cross-institutional collaborations.

What benefits and value do you see alumni gaining from the network?

Alumni gain professional growth opportunities through access to faculty insights, peer expertise, and career-oriented events. They build lasting friendships, strengthen their professional networks, and expand their visibility in new markets and industries. Perhaps most importantly, they feel part of a community that shares their values, one that creates tangible opportunities to learn, give back, and shape positive change in business and society.

What advice would you give to alumni looking to get more involved with the network?

Start small but start now—attend an event, join the Whatsapp and LinkedIn group, or reach out to a fellow alum in your city. Volunteering as a city lead or offering to mentor is a great way to deepen engagement. Alumni who share their expertise—whether by writing an article, hosting a dinner, or giving a guest lecture—often find they get back as much as they give. The value of the network is amplified when everyone participates.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the alumni community?

This is still the beginning of our North American journey, and I’m excited about the momentum we’re building. With each gathering, each conversation, and each new connection, we are proving the strength of this community. My hope is that more alumni will step forward to engage—whether to learn, to contribute, or simply to reconnect. Together, we can make the WBS North America alumni network a powerful force for professional growth, global collaboration, and lifelong friendship.

Find out more about WBS alumni networks here or join the North America Alumni LinkedIn group.