Rachel Theka

Solving America's Skilled Trades Gap with AI

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.

Learn more about FinLink AI →

🎤 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.

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.

Writing & Perspectives

Thoughts on AI, education, and workforce transformation.

The College Funding Trick I Used—No Loans, No Clickbait

Planned for LinkedIn August 2025

How AI Can Compress the Skilled Trades Pipeline

Planned for Medium – Fall 2025

Rethinking Scholarships: Micro-Donors and the Future of Funding

Planned for LinkedIn

Building Tech for the People Who Build Everything Else

Planned for EdSurge

Want to publish or collaborate? Contact me to discuss potential writing opportunities.

Get In Touch

Want to talk about FinLink, vocational scholarships, public speaking, or startup opportunities?

You can also reach me directly at:

📧 rnoel7@gmail.com

🔗 LinkedIn

© 2025 Rachel Theka. All rights reserved.

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