Founder
Founder
Abby Raphel
Abby is the founder of The Redwoods Initiative, a strategic platform dedicated to serving a global community of over 500 families. Specializing in the human experience of wealth, investment education and stewardship support for families, she has become a recognized coach in private wealth, engaging with top enterprising families and senior professionals.
Beyond her work at Redwoods, Abby created The Blank Canvas Method, a self-discovery workshop that helps clients find clarity and design actionable steps for intentional living. Her client engagements range from corporate brand retreats and CEO coaching to serving women prisoners in Mexico City.
Since 2020, Abby has consulted in various fields, including Film, Art, and Architecture, most recently winning an EMMY Award for her work with NYCNext and New York State of Mind. She also maintains a private wellness and coaching practice rooted in Classical Chinese Medicine and nature-based living.
Her extensive prior experience includes serving as Education Director for Highmount Capital and consulting for media, event, and education organizations such as The Nielsen Company, The Quill Awards, Reed Business Information, Inferential Focus, and numerous philanthropic foundations. Earlier in her career, she served as Chief of Staff to Media Executive Gerry Byrne in NYC, following a brief period in front of the camera.
Abby holds a BA in Communications from Jacksonville University and a Master’s from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study in Curriculum Development. She has furthered her expertise by studying Classical Chinese Medicine and Advanced Acupuncture with Ann Cecil-Sterman, is an apprentice at Brooklyn Herborium, and offers treatments at Menla + Dewa Spa, a sanctuary and retreat center in The Catskills and Hudson Valley.