Rachael Surmick is a community development advisor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in the Omaha Branch Office.
A new member of the community development team, Surmick is focused on getting to know key stakeholders and learning more about the needs of and opportunities for low- to moderate-income communities across Nebraska.
Surmick began her career as an AmeriCorps VISTA member working to alleviate poverty through financial well-being programs in southwestern Pennsylvania. She has worked in the nonprofit community development sector for more than a decade, primarily focused on affordable housing. Most recently she was working to engage communities across the state on broadband equity and access.
A Pennsylvania native, Surmick studied history and anthropology as an undergraduate student at Gettysburg College and earned a Master of Public Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
Outside of work, Surmick is passionate about music and plays the clarinet with a local community concert band.
About the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks that, along with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., make up our nation's central bank. We work in the public’s interest by supporting economic and financial stability. The Kansas City Fed’s territory includes Colorado, Kansas, western Missouri, Nebraska, northern New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wyoming. Our headquarters is in Kansas City, with branch offices in Denver, Omaha and Oklahoma City.
The Kansas City Fed Community Development Department promotes economic development and public understanding that leads to progress for lower-income individuals and communities. Our focus areas include community development investments, digital inclusion, small business / entrepreneurism, and workforce development.