About REPKOGRANTS

Our team of grant writing professionals use our gifts to work together to make a difference in the world.

Here is our team:

Rachel Repko, Founder

Rachel is the founder of REPKOGRANTS and a native of Great Britain. Rachel started her writing career during her first job out of college while working at London-based public relations company, The Rowland Company (TRC) – but quickly realized that her heart was set on working for non-profit causes. After moving to the United States in the 1990s, Rachel began her non-profit grant writing career at international relief and development organization World Vision. Rachel returned to grant writing and consulting again in Los Angeles County in 2004 and launched REPKOGRANTS in 2012. With more than twenty years’ grant writing under her belt, her experience has made her an expert in the area of grant writing, research, and building revenue from foundation grants. Rachel has a Bachelor of Arts honors degree from Durham University, England. Rachel lives in Arcadia with her husband, three daughters, cat (Charlie) and dog (Harry).

Marie Cantor, Senior Grants Consultant

Marie Cantor was born and raised in Los Angeles and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Southern California. After various administrative roles at hospitals including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, she joined Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in 2000 as a grant writer where she found her passion and learned to advocate for those who lack the resources. In 2011, she became the Associate Director of Foundation Relations at the Pasadena Senior Center. Following this, Marie joined REPKOGRANTS in 2019 as a grant writer and client consultant. Marie has served on the Boards of the Pasadena-Foothill Valley YWCA and the Pasadena Education Network. She lives in Altadena with her husband, two teenage sons, and two dogs.

Kristen Lemel, Government Grants Consultant

Kristen Lemel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Liberty University and Master’s in Strategic Public Relations from The George Washington University. She began her career in communications, working in politics in Washington, D.C., before she began her grant writing career in 2019. As Senior Associate at Capitol Advocacy Partners, she assisted in the drafting of winning applications, of which provided millions of dollars in federal, state, and local funds for clients. She is grateful to have found a career that marries her love of research and writing and allows her to support young people in their physical and mental health needs. Kristen joined REPKOGRANTS as a Grants Consultant in 2023 and lives in Pasadena with her husband and children.

Wendy Withers, Senior Grants Consultant

Wendy, a Pasadena native, brings a dynamic background in grant writing and philanthropic strategy spanning healthcare, education, and cultural sectors. She has successfully led multimillion-dollar capital campaigns, secured six- and seven-figure gifts, and strengthened donor relationships across all levels. Her leadership experience includes roles at the Orthopaedic Institute for Children, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she cultivated enduring corporate and foundation partnerships and pioneered innovative fundraising approaches. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Wendy is deeply committed to leveraging philanthropy to drive meaningful, lasting change in the communities she serves. She joined REPKOGRANTS as a Grants Consultant in 2024 and resides in Agoura Hills with her husband and two children