Founded in 2021, the Alchemy Group is an outlet for the commitment, imagination, and interest that Rachel Loewen Walker (she/her) and Estefan Cortes-Vargas (he/they) both have for the nonprofit and social impact sector.
Alchemy Group harnesses the joy that Rachel and Estefan feel when working together—and brings others into that space in order to build capacity, collaborate with partners, and to best meet the needs of each organization.
We want to change the world, for the better—and we believe we can have fun while doing it.
Director, Alchemy Group Consulting
Community Research & Storytelling | Strategic Planning | Leadership Coaching & Evaluation | Organizational Change | Advocacy, PR & Social Impact | Staff & Board Training | Equity & Social Justice
Where strategy meets story.
Rachel (she/her) is a community research and storytelling specialist. She helps nonprofits, governments, and networks build bold strategies, navigate change, and turn impact into narrative. With over 15 years of leadership in the nonprofit, academic, and policy sectors, Rachel specializes in strategic planning, organizational development, fund and policy development, human resources, and community-driven research.
A skilled facilitator and systems thinker, Rachel has served as Director of OUTSaskatoon, the Sallows Chair in Human Rights, and most recently as Program Chair of Gender, Sexualities, and Social Justice at the University of Saskatchewan. She helped launch the Enchanté Network, Canada’s national coalition of 2SLGBTQ+ Centres, and has served on numerous boards across housing, sexual health, and social justice.
Whether you’re reimagining your vision, building your team’s capacity, or looking to tell your story in a way that moves people—Rachel brings the strategy, heart, and experience to help you get it done.
Consultant, Alchemy Group Consulting
Legal Professional | Government Relations | Mediation and Dispute Resolution | Governance & Policy Strategist | Risk Management | Equity Advocate
Bridging systems, justice, and community.
Estefan Cortes-Vargas (he/they) is a legal professional and organizational strategist with expertise in governance, HR, mediation, and government relations. With over a decade of leadership experience, they bring a values-based approach to building inclusive, accountable, and effective institutions.
Elected to Alberta’s NDP Government in 2015, Estefan made history as one of Canada’s first openly non-binary MLAs, the first Colombian-Canadian MLA, and the youngest government whip in Alberta. They championed 2SLGBTQ+ rights, introduced Canada’s first non-gendered legislative honorific, and led on both local and international equity initiatives.
Estefan has held senior leadership roles in the nonprofit sector, including Executive Director of the Pride Centre of Edmonton, and has supported policy and business development through national and cross-border collaborations.
We’re here to serve you, so that you can serve your communities.
We’re here to help you be brave, and face a changing world with a commitment to social justice.
We’re here to put communities first, so that both your processes and outcomes have a distinct focus on making an impact on those you serve.
Copyright 2021 Achemy Group