Rachel Reidy

Writer | Content Strategist | Storyteller

University of Washington - Foster School of Business •

Yang Song on AI, Curiosity, and the New Foster MS in Finance

Yang Song didn’t set out to build a career in finance. Instead, he followed his curiosity and his talent for mathematics, and they pointed him toward the field where both could thrive.
Song is a Professor of Finance and the Norman J. Metcalfe Endowed Professor in Finance at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, and one of the faculty members shaping its new Master of Science in Finance. 
That same curiosity—and the appetite for learning that comes with it—runs through his resea...
University of Washington - Foster School of Business •

What Finance Bros Get Wrong About Finance

Jordan Nickerson has heard the “finance bro” stereotype enough times to have a theory about where it comes from.
He’s part of the faculty shaping Foster’s new Master of Science in Finance (MS in Finance), a pre-experience program designed for students who want to build serious analytical depth before entering the workforce. The program prepares students for careers in corporate finance, investment analysis, consulting, fintech, and technology-driven financial strategy. 
“People think of trust fu...
University of Washington - Foster School of Business •

UW Foster School Launches New MS in Finance Degree

As finance roles become more technical—shaped by data, AI, and global markets—early-career professionals are under growing pressure to build specialized expertise from day one. In response, the University of Washington Foster School of Business has launched a Master of Science in Finance (MSF) degree, a STEM-designated, full-time graduate program that prepares students for analyst-level roles across corporate finance, investments, financial markets, and fintech. The first cohort will begin class...
University of Washington - Foster School of Business •

Betsy Sperry Shares Her Recipe for Entrepreneurial Learning

For Betsy Sperry, entrepreneurship isn’t just something she teaches—it’s something she lives.
Sperry, who teaches in the Master of Science in Entrepreneurship program at the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, has spent years guiding students through the challenges of brand strategy, customer insight, and market fit. But it wasn’t until she started her own food venture, Heavens to Betsy, that she experienced firsthand the messy, rewarding reality of building a business from scr...
GitHub •

What is DevSecOps?

At its core, DevSecOps is a framework that integrates security practices into every stage of the software development lifecycle (SDLC), from planning and coding to deployment and monitoring. It emphasizes cross-team collaboration and shared responsibility for security, combining automated and manual testing to support secure, reliable software delivery. DevSecOps is crucial for managing security risks without disrupting delivery timelines. As software becomes more complex and cyber threats grow,...
GitHub •

What is Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a type of web application security vulnerability. XSS allows attackers to inject malicious scripts, most commonly client-side JavaScript, into websites. These malicious scripts are executed by the victim’s web browser when the browser loads the web page. The scripts can be used to steal sensitive data, manipulate website behavior, or even redirect users to malicious sites. XSS poses a significant threat because it targets a broad range of users, from individuals to...
Boom Supersonic •

Mojave Air & Space Port: The Supersonic Connection

While it may not be as well-known as nearby Edwards Air Force Base, Mojave has played a key role in shaping aviation and space exploration.

From record-setting spacecraft to cutting-edge supersonic jets, Mojave has been at the center of some of the most ambitious civilian advancements in aerospace. Boom’s XB-1 demonstrator now proudly joins that legacy.

Located roughly halfway between Los Angeles, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada, Mojave Air & Space Port was once Marine Corps Auxiliary Air St...
Boom Supersonic •

Making the Invisible Visible: Boom and NASA Partner to Capture XB-1 Schlieren Image

Air density is invisible to the naked eye. Unlike water, we can’t see ripples and waves of movement as an object pushes through air. But with schlieren photography, a technique that has been around for 150 years, Boom and NASA achieved something remarkable during XB-1’s thirteenth flight: capturing an image of XB-1 pushing through the air at supersonic speed.

During the XB-1 flight test program, the two teams had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to capture a rare visual of the changing air dens...
Boom Supersonic •

Boom Supersonic Video Script

Boom Supersonic provided a timed storyboard for a brand film celebrating XB-1’s historic supersonic milestone. I developed the narrative and voiceover script, turning a sequence of key messages into a cinematic story arc. The script also helped guide the on-site video team during the milestone flight, identifying the moments, reactions and footage needed to bring the story to life.

Note: This sample shows the script I delivered to Boom Supersonic based on the team’s storyboard. I have not been able to verify a publicly available final video using this exact script.
Boom Supersonic •

From Backwards Suns to Jet‑Lag‑Free Landings: What It’s Like to Fly Supersonic

While flying at Mach 1 evokes visions of high-speed thrills, the reality of supersonic travel—elevated by expert engineering—is a smooth ride with breathtaking views at 60,000 feet. 

Mach 1 marks the threshold where a plane’s speed matches the speed of sound, approximately 767.3 mph. By comparison, narrow-body commercial jets like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 typically cruise at Mach 0.78 (about 587 mph). 

Contrary to dramatic movie scenes of pilots gripping controls in shaking cockpits, sup...
Microsoft •

Natixis CIB in New York achieves 90% invoice processing accuracy with Power Platform

Natixis CIB faced challenges in its invoice reconciliation processes. With the existing system, invoices were received via email and processed manually, leading to a high workload for employees, delays, and a risk of human error. “A dedicated employee would filter invoice-specific emails from their purchasing or vendor procurement aliases. Then they would manually enter each invoice into a purchasing system and submit it for pa...
BL.INK •

BL.INK - SaaS Rebrand

BL.INK is a link shortener that lets users create short links using real words and custom domains.

The team brought me on to develop the brand voice and write the web content for their launch under a new brand name. Because it speaks to a wide audience—from solo business owners to large enterprise customers—the voice needed to sound relaxed yet professional.

While the product itself is technical, I kept the website simple and straightforward, focused on customer benefits, differentiating the product from more well-known competitors, and consistently driving visitors to sign up for a free trial.

For the portion of the audience that wants more technical details, I developed a series of blog posts that cover more in-depth topics. This approach gives the technical aspects a home while freeing up the rest of the site to stick to clear and simple messaging and boosting SEO.
Washington Women in Need •

Washington Women in Need - Brand Strategy

Washington Women in Need is a nonprofit organization that gives scholarships, career coaching, and other assistance to help women go to college and get established in new careers that pay a living wage. When COVID shut down their their largest in-person fundraising event, they needed a new way to help their donors feel inspired and connected to the organization and to reach more women who could benefit from their services. They turned to Big Thinkers Society for a full rebrand.

As the content strategist and copywriter, I leveraged audience research to develop a messaging framework, voice and tone guidelines, and a library of stories from women who had received scholarships and launched new careers. I used these stories as the foundation for their website, social media, and donor communications. I also created an interview guide and storytelling template the organization can use to quickly create new stories on an ongoing basis.

As a result, they successfully shifted to an online fundraising platform, exceeding their fundraising goal and continuing to provide scholarships to a steady stream of new applicants.
Cutter & Buck •

Cutter & Buck Catalog - Print

In their Fall 2018 CB Team Collection catalog, apparel retailer Cutter & Buck wanted to bring in storytelling about their Pacific Northwest roots by showing their apparel in natural settings around their home town of Seattle.

This copy elevates the simple, quality design of the products and the easygoing confidence inherent in the brand. It invites customers to show their pride in their home team through friendly competition and camaraderie. After all, it’s not just about showcasing the products—it’s about the people who wear them.
Target •

Target - Summer Beauty Page

Multiple brands, various products. Instead of throwing everything into a boring grid of one-off items, our team wanted to help customers envision how the products could help them create the look they want.

The concept for each page needed to tie everything together into a cohesive story. And the copy needed to communicate the relevant product details while helping the story unfold.

To do this, I developed editorial-style tutorials that show customers how to look and feel their best—using featured product groups mapped to each step.
Starbucks •

Starbucks for Life - Contest Email

One holiday season, Starbucks launched the promo of a lifetime (literally): One lucky winner would get daily free products for up to 30 years.

As with any contest, there were entry instructions along with the standard terms and conditions and fine print. It was a lot to convey in one email, and it was important that the thrill of anticipation didn’t wilt away under boring legalese and lengthy instructions. The content strategy relied on a smart information flow and straightforward but cheerful tone that made it fun and easy for the reader to participate.
Target •

Target - Skincare Page

Multiple brands, various products. Instead of throwing everything into a boring grid of one-off items, our team wanted to help customers envision how the products could help them create the look they want.

The concept for each page needed to tie everything together into a cohesive story. And the copy needed to communicate the relevant product details while helping the story unfold.

To do this, I developed editorial-style tutorials that show customers how to look and feel their best—using featured product groups mapped to each step.