Faces of Philanthropy: Rachel Youngs

Rachel Youngs 

Holy Family Catholic Church 

Board of Directors Member 

Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle Member

St. Katharine Drexel Society Member 

Rachel Youngs works at Accenture Consulting in Orlando, where she partners with organizations to define and realize business and workforce strategies amid the accelerating pace of change. A lifelong Orlando native, she holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and history from the University of Florida and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Pastoral Theology through the Augustine Institute. Outside of work, Rachel and her husband, Brian, are raising their two daughters and are active parishioners at Holy Family Catholic Church.

Faces of Philanthropy Q & A with Dr. Rachel Youngs:

Q: What drew you to get involved with the Catholic Foundation?

A: I was drawn to the Catholic Foundation because of its unique ability to thoughtfully and faithfully steward resources in service of the Church’s mission. In a rapidly growing region like Central Florida, that stewardship is critical to ensure our parishes, ministries, and outreach efforts are equipped to form disciples and respond to both present and future needs.

Q: What excites you most about the Foundation’s work?

A: What excites me most is how the Catholic Foundation supports the Diocese of Orlando in advancing the Church’s mission to ‘go and make disciples of all nations’, through evangelization, formation, and service to those most in need; especially as Central Florida continues to be one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, calling the Church to be ready to meet both spiritual and human needs.

Q: How does your faith guide your giving?

A: My faith reminds me that everything we have is a gift from God and that we are called to be faithful stewards, not owners, of those gifts. Giving becomes an act of love and trust, responding generously to what God has first entrusted to us.

Q: Is there a Scripture verse or saint that inspires your generosity?

A: I am deeply inspired by a prayer attributed to St. Teresa of Avila: “Christ has no body now but yours… yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world.” This prayer is a powerful reminder that we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ. When we trust in Him and act with generosity, God can work through us to bring His love into the world.

Q: Who taught you about giving?

A: My parents were my earliest teachers in generosity. They showed me that even when you feel you have very little, God can magnify a willing heart. From a young age, they instilled in me the importance of giving selflessly and joyfully, regardless of the size of the gift.

Q: What example do you hope your philanthropy sets for your children?

A: I hope my children grow up seeing generosity as a natural expression of a relationship with Christ — choosing trust in Him above all else and understanding that following Christ means placing our time, talent, and treasure at the service of love, mission, and others.

Q: Is there a Foundation program or initiative that’s especially meaningful to you?

A: The Women’s Philanthropic Giving Circle has been especially meaningful to me. It was so inspiring to see an incredible group of women come together in faith to collectively discern, fund, and support organizations serving our local community, creating meaningful and lasting impact through shared generosity.

Click here to learn more about our Board of Directors.