Rachel Mast
Rachel Mast is 25 years old and a graduate of Olathe South High School and Project SEARCH and attended Missouri State University. Rachel is active in her local church, a local theatre program and Improvaneers online. She has served as an ABLE NRC ambassador since 2018. Rachel is using her ABLE account to save for her dream of owning a pink house.
Rachel is a member of the National Down Syndrome Congress Policy and Advocacy Coalition. She received the 2019 Laura Lee Self-Advocate Leadership Award for her leadership and advocacy activities. Rachel works for the University of Kansas Hospital as a patient greeter in the patient transport department. Rachel has part of her employment earnings automatically deposited in her ABLE Account each month.
Rachel, who has Down syndrome, uses her ABLE Account primarily for savings. She dreams of getting married and living in a pink house. She knows her ABLE savings will help her achieve those goals. Rachel played a pivotal role in getting ABLE passed in Congress, traveling to Washington, D.C. to speak with her congressmen and senators. She testified before the Kansas Legislature about the importance of ABLE, which led to her being the first person in Kansas to open an ABLE account. As an ABLE Advisor, she uses her personality and people skills to tell others about the benefits of opening an ABLE account to help them achieve their dreams.
Rachel has been featured on many podcasts and webinars sharing her advocacy experiences and promoting ABLE Accounts. Most recently, she joined Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson for an interview discussing ABLE Accounts and encouraging others to take advantage of this tax-advantaged savings plan. Rachel is very proud that she can save her own money and takes pride in treating her mom and dad to lunch and dinner.
Spotlights and Links to ABLE Activities
April 2024 Kansas ABLE Interview with Treasurer Johnson, Rachel and Jawanda Mast
Rachel Mast: My Real Thoughts On Adult Life – thesassysoutherngal
January 2020 Article on Rachel being awarded the Laura Lee Self-Advocate Leadership Award. Watch her speech.
November 2018 AchievABLE Newsletter Spotlight
Rachel’s social handles:
- YouTube Channel
- Twitter: @rachelspinkhous
- IG: rachelspinkhouse