If you’ve attended a webinar, completed an eLearning course, participated in Manager Academy, or worked alongside one of Haberfeld’s Consultants over the last two decades, chances are you’ve experienced Rachael Houghton’s influence—even if you didn’t realize it.
As the driving force behind the company’s eLearning division, Rachael has spent nearly 20 years helping financial institutions—and the people within them—grow, learn, and succeed.
Not bad for someone who never planned on becoming a Consultant.
Before joining Haberfeld in 2006, Rachael worked in grant distribution for a community college. It was her aunt’s friend who had previously done consulting work with Haberfeld and introduced Rachael to the company.
A job application, an interview with three Haberfeld legends (Dann Nelson, Jack Farnham, and Paul Krutak), and one leap of faith later, Rachael found what would become her professional home.
And what a home it’s been.
“It’s been 20 years!” Rachael mused with a smile. “I love my job, the people here, and the new experiences I have at financial institutions all around the country. I’ve spent my entire adult life here—I feel pretty lucky.”
But anyone who knows Rachael knows that her success has been built on equal parts curiosity, dedication, and a genuine passion for helping others improve.
That passion took on a whole new dimension in 2010.
At the time, Rachael loved consulting but was looking for a way to stay connected with clients while traveling a little less. As financial institutions sought new ways to engage and develop employees beyond onsite visits, an opportunity emerged.
Rachael seized it.
“2010 was the right year,” she explained. “There was a need for eLearning and to have more touches with our clients if we weren’t physically there.”
What began as a new initiative soon became one of Haberfeld’s most valuable offerings.
Today, Haberfeld’s eLearning platform provides webinars, on-demand learning, certification opportunities, and customized training designed specifically for financial institutions. It allows employees to sharpen their skills, reinforce key concepts, and continue learning long after the Consultant has boarded their flight home.
In many ways, eLearning has become the bridge between inspiration and implementation—the tool that helps great ideas become lasting habits.
And Rachael has been there from the very beginning.
As if building an entire eLearning division weren’t enough, she also leads Manager Academy, Haberfeld’s annual leadership development program in Omaha. The event has become so popular that the 2026 session is already sold out, drawing leaders from across the country who want to strengthen their ability to coach, motivate, and inspire their teams.
Of course, when Rachael isn’t helping financial institutions thrive, she’s busy keeping up with an equally demanding role: mom.
She and her husband Dave have three children—Tatum (15), Henry (14), and Phoebe (10)—whose schedules are packed with sports, activities, and events. Add an oversized rescue Labradoodle to the mix, and the Houghton household is rarely quiet.
But that’s exactly how she likes it.
When she does carve out a little time for herself, you’ll likely find her running, practicing yoga, enjoying a great cup of coffee, or searching for the perfect Thai or Indian restaurant. A veteran of several marathons, Rachael understands that meaningful accomplishments don’t happen overnight—they happen one step at a time.
After nearly two decades at Haberfeld, Rachael’s impact is impossible to measure fully. It’s found in the Consultants she has mentored, the leaders she has developed, the frontline employees she has inspired to execute our High Performance Growth™ strategy, and the countless financial institutions that have benefited from her expertise.
Beyond being the woman behind eLearning, she’s a big reason why so many people continue learning, growing, and succeeding.
And after 20 years, she’s just getting started.