Using Al to help Solve America's Skilled Trades Gap

Tech entrepreneur passionate about solving real-world economic challenges through education technology. Currently addressing the skilled trades labor shortage—a crisis expected to leave 2.1 million roles unfilled by 2030.

Current Project: FinLink AI

FinLink AI is an AI-powered platform helping students get funded, trained, and hired—faster. We're focused on closing the skilled trades gap by connecting students with funding, advising, and employer-aligned career paths.

🎤 Public Speaker

Educating entrepreneurs on startup growth, cybersecurity, and digital operations with organizations like Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.

📚 Self-Funded Scholar

Earned both BA and MBA without student loans—funded entirely through entrepreneurship, micro-donations, and strategic tuition negotiation.

🔐 Cybersecurity Leader

Led enterprise security and compliance programs for Fortune 500 companies, overseeing risk mitigation and regulatory readiness.

FinLink AI: Funding the Future of Skilled Trades

FinLink AI is a tech platform helping students get funded, trained, and hired—faster. We're focused on closing the skilled trades gap by connecting students with funding, advising, and employer-aligned career paths—all powered by AI.

2.1M

U.S. manufacturing jobs could go unfilled by 2030

$1T

Potential economic loss due to skilled trades gap

91%

Job satisfaction in skilled trades roles

See More

About Me

I'm Rachel — a tech entrepreneur and strategist with 15+ years in cybersecurity, fintech, and SaaS leadership. I bootstrapped my own education with $100K in micro-donations and side hustles, and now I'm building the platform I wish I had.

My work at FinLink AI focuses on compressing the path from high school to skilled trade careers—combining AI advising, micro-donor discovery, and employer-aligned training pipelines.

Professional Journey

  • Entrepreneur-in-Residence at NJIT's New Jersey Innovation Institute
  • Tech Innovator: Led EverLiv, a NSF-funded digital legacy platform
  • Startup & Nonprofit Consultant for 17+ years with clients including Verizon, Rutgers, and The Toy Foundation
  • Cybersecurity Manager for Fortune 500 companies

Personal

Mother of three curious kids, frequent visitor to local libraries (we love a great children's room), believer in community powered economic mobility.

🧠 Entrepreneur-in-Residence

Worked with university tech transfer teams at NJIT's New Jersey Innovation Institute on commercializing research and launching ventures.

🤝 Startup & Nonprofit Consultant

Advisor and strategist for 17+ years, with clients including Verizon, Rutgers, The Toy Foundation, and dozens of grassroots initiatives.

👩‍👧‍👦 Lifelong Learner, Parent, Advocate

Mother of three curious kids, frequent visitor to local libraries, believer in community powered economic mobility.

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