On the Perch with Rachel DiNino

When it comes to advancing compassionate, people-centered public policy, Rachel DiNino brings both heart and expertise to the table. Her voice is shaped by personal experience and a deep commitment to reform. In her Policy Perch conversation, Rachel shared a powerful and intimate perspective on caregiving, drawn from her own journey caring for her mother during her battle with cancer. She spoke candidly about the emotional, logistical, and financial burdens caregivers face—often unseen and unsupported—and emphasized that caregiving is not merely a task, but a vocation rooted in empathy, resilience, and presence. While innovations in cancer research and caregiver tools are offering hope, she stressed that healthcare policies, funding streams, and workplace supports still fall short. Rachel called for a more integrated, compassionate approach that formally recognizes caregivers as essential partners in healing, backing that recognition with expanded access to paid leave, caregiver education, mental health services, and stronger coordination between providers and families. Echoing ideas being championed today, Rachel believes in bold, family-centered policies to support unpaid caregivers and urges the next generation to view caregiving as a powerful act of service capable of transforming lives and communities. 💙🌿🎙️