Meet Rachel Elnar

We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Elnar recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

I feel most successful when I’m focused on helping others. If I’m the only one in the room who looks like me, I might feel self-conscious or worried about fitting in. But when I shift my focus to helping others, it’s no longer about me—it’s about giving, helping, and empowering those who need it.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a Senior Creative Producer at Adobe, leading a team that creates live-streaming shows and engagement programs for creative and marketing professionals. Over the last 30 years, I’ve co-founded a design firm, taught as a design professor, contributed as a writer, worked as an interaction designer, and led a non-profit. With over 20 years of experience in design, education, writing, and community building, I’m passionate about advocating for, empowering, and educating designers. I strive to make the creative industry more inclusive for future designers.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Curiosity got me where I am today. I’ve explored drama, fine art painting, hospitality, graphic design, digital installation, teaching, public relations, digital marketing, video editing, business development, management, and more. I took classes, jobs, volunteer positions, and read books to learn more about these areas. Sometimes I felt scattered, but my current role at Adobe requires all these skills.

Resilience has also been crucial. Getting comfortable with ‘no’s and pushing ideas to the limit is something I keep practicing. They say you learn more when you fail, so the best way to succeed is to fail fast. You need bravery to keep trying, testing, and learning, and that’s how resilience is built.

Generosity comes into play when I focus on others and think about their experience. My natural tendency is to make people feel welcome and comfortable, which I practiced daily in food service and hospitality. This mindset carried over when I started teaching at universities, helping me simplify my delivery for students. I always try to see things from the client’s point of view. Generosity benefits both the giver and the receiver.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

My parents came to the U.S. from the Philippines and worked hard to build a life here. They showed me what selflessness really means. Even though they didn’t have much, they always gave what they could to my sister and me to make our lives better.

I appreciate their generosity and loving nature every day, and I feel like their altruism has become a part of who I am too.

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelelnar/