Our Ambassadors

Rachel Smith

Rachel has dedicated her career to improving the lives of people living with rare and genetic conditions, leading the development of innovative therapies and championing patient-centred approaches. She currently serves as Vice President, Rare and Genetic Disease at Parexel and works closely with industry, researchers, healthcare professionals and patient organisations to accelerate access to new treatments.

Her connection to the rare community is also deeply personal. In 2022, after almost six years of searching for answers, Rachel was diagnosed with an ultra-rare genetic condition. While she had spent many years working in rare disease, living through the uncertainty, frustration and emotional impact of a prolonged diagnostic journey transformed her understanding of what so many individuals and families experience every day.

As a Gene People Ambassador, she is passionate about amplifying patient voices and supporting individuals and families navigating the challenges of genetic conditions.