Rachel Moalli
A Shining Star Driving Community Impact at Dr. Phillips Center
Meet our team
From growing the Community Giveback Initiative to welcoming thousands of guests, Rachel Moalli has embraced bold ideas and strengthened lasting community connections—and now she’s part of the charge to expand our reach even further.
Since 2017, Rachel Moalli has helped shape how Dr. Phillips Center connects with the community. What began as a new role at a flourishing arts center has grown into a career dedicated to making the arts more accessible, inclusive and meaningful for thousands across Central Florida.
“Every day we look at new ways to continue enhancing who we bring and expanding the opportunities that we provide for everyone who walks through our doors,” Rachel says. From growing community programs to securing local, state and federal funding, Rachel has turned big ideas into real impact.
Setting the Stage
Rachel joined Dr. Phillips Center as manager of community engagement when the arts center was still in its infancy – full of potential and set on delivering its vision, Arts For Every Life®, bringing all kinds of performing arts to people from all walks of life, all around the world.
She began joining conversations about how the center could reach neighbors and set bigger goals, a perfect stage for her passion for people and community to shine.
“The arts center had been open for three years when I arrived,” she says. “I got to be part of the conversation about how we engage the community and grow the impact we create.”
Community Giveback Initiative
Rachel remembers the first community giveback in 2017: 100 students experiencing Disney’s The Lion King. From there, the organization set a goal to grow the program, now known as the Community Giveback Initiative. In May 2025, the team reached a milestone, welcoming more than 1,600 guests to The Lion King in Walt Disney Theater (the same musical that started it all) — a full-circle moment.
“To see how much we’ve grown in such a short amount of time is amazing,” she shares. “Through this initiative, we’ve been able to reach more and more of our community and create forever memories for kids and adults.”
During the 2024-25 season, Rachel led the team that welcomed more than 3,000 guests through the Community Giveback Initiative, many seeing live theater for the first time.
“Theater gives kids a place to belong. I’ve seen so many open up after being part of our theater program,” shares one teacher from Dover Shores Elementary, whose students received the surprise of a lifetime when they were invited to attend Disney’s The Lion King earlier this year.
To date, through the arts center’s Community Giveback Initiative, the organization has raised more than $1.1 million and hosted 10,000 students, veterans, first responders, teachers and other neighbors.
Making an Impact
Today, after eight years with Dr. Phillips Center, Rachel serves as senior director of corporate affairs and community engagement, guiding government and community relations, arts and wellness initiatives and managing board administration.
She continues to champion public support for community-driven arts programs. Under her leadership, the center secured $1 million in federal appropriations for education and programming for the first time and has received $1.1 million in Florida State Appropriations funding to advance critical infrastructure needs for future development.
One of her proudest moments was leading community engagement for the grand opening of Steinmetz Hall in January 2022.
“Being part of that celebration feels special,” she says. “Years of work came together and the community shared the moment together. It was pure pride.”
Rachel continues building relationships that move the vision and mission forward. One of her favorite parts of the job is meeting people across the community and state who believe in the arts center’s vision, including the organization’s own leadership.
“The collective knowledge and vision of our board members and leadership team inspires me to come with a winning mindset every day,” she says.
Leadership Highlights
- Orlando Business Journal 2023 40 Under 40
- Vice chair, City of Orlando Downtown Development Board
- Board member, Downtown Orlando Partnership
- Graduate, Leadership Orlando Class 101
- Active member, Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida and Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando Business Advocacy Council
Looking Ahead
After more than a decade of delivering Arts For Every Life®, the arts center is at a pivotal moment as venues and spaces are booked at exceptionally high levels.
The team has been listening closely to students, educators, performers, regional arts groups, donors, healthcare and wellness organizations, businesses and residents – and it’s clear there’s an opportunity to do even more for Central Florida.
“There’s so much momentum right now,” Rachel says. “We are reaching capacity and this future development is the next game-changer. New venues, new programs, new opportunities to serve. Our vision keeps growing, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.”
Rachel Moalli shows how one leader’s energy and vision can turn possibility into community impact.
To learn more about Dr. Phillips Center’s community engagement team and get involved, visit drphillipscenter.org/giving-back