R. MacKlin

Background

About R. MacKlin

Rachel Macklin Olszewski is an accomplished administrator with over a decade of leadership experience in higher education and nonprofit management. Known for her strategic thinking, operational expertise, and deep commitment to mission-driven institutions, she has built a career supporting programs that center creativity, equity, and public access to education and the arts. She currently serves as Department Administrator for the University at Buffalo’s Department of Art, where she leads day-to-day operations including finance, staffing, academic support, and strategic planning. She previously held multiple leadership roles in UB’s Department of Theatre and Dance and served as Administrative Director for the Department of Art and Design at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Macklin holds an MA in Arts Management from the University at Buffalo, where her research focused on arts-driven urban redevelopment, municipal cultural policy, and the socioeconomic impact of gentrification. She earned her BFA in Theatre Performance from Niagara University. Beyond her administrative work, Macklin is an active advocate and community organizer in Buffalo, NY. She contributes to local mutual aid and justice efforts focused on immigration, housing, LGBTQ+ rights, and labor protections. Her organizing supports public-facing campaigns, direct relief efforts, and community-centered civic engagement. She currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for Post-Industrial Productions, and sits on the Advisory Board for the Kavinoky Theatre at D’Youville University. She is a former board member of Big Easy Buffalo and served as a rescue and rehabilitation volunteer for the Marine Mammal Center in California. Macklin brings to every role a strong commitment to systems thinking, institutional transparency, and people-first leadership. She excels in building collaborative frameworks that support both creative expression and organizational strength.