Rachel Buchanan

Rachel Anne Buchanan (born 1968) is a New Zealand author, historian and curator. Based in Melbourne, she has written extensively on New Zealand Māori history, including notably her work Te Motunui Epa for which she was a joint recipient of the Ernest Scott Prize in 2023. Quotes My very first job was teaching the JAWS screen reader when I was in college to another college student at the University of Central Oklahoma. That was all the way back in 2004! What was your first job? I have worked at Vispero since June of 2018. How long have you worked at Vispero? I have always been excited about new technology, and it naturally led me to explore assistive technology I could use as a blind individual. Over time, I discovered that I also love teaching. I discovered this through teaching braille, which was my second job. Those combined passions brought me to where I am now. I also love working with people and thrive as a part of a team. What initially drew you to your field, and how has that passion evolved over time? I wanted to do something with animals when I was a kid, which does not really compare to what I do now. Still, animals remain a big part of my life, and I adore them. When I was younger, I pictured animals as my career and technology as my hobby. Now, it is the opposite: assistive technology is my job, and caring for my animals is a hobby. What was your dream job as a child, and how does it compare to your current role? I take a lot of joy in seeing people learn skills they can apply in their lives, and I am fortunate to experience that regularly in my current role. When I look back on my time at Vispero, and even in my previous roles, what really stands out is the ability to empower others through learning. Helping people gain skills that make their lives easier or more independent is incredibly rewarding. Looking back at your career so far, what accomplishment are you most proud of? Recently, I felt particularly energized by the recent conclusion of our second annual Next Big Thing contest and Sharkvember celebrations, a project I am actively involved in and really enjoy. Also, the release of FS Companion has been incredibly exciting. The team all worked hard on development, spreading the word, and ensuring our users know about it. Seeing that effort begin to pay off has been thrilling for everyone. What recent accomplishment at work has you feeling most energized? I have had several opportunities to mentor people at Vispero, including interns and new team members. Mentoring is a humbling experience—it is usually less about teaching and more about learning together, and I truly value those connections. I tend to gain fresh perspectives and insights from the folks’ I mentor. Have you had a chance to mentor someone at the company? How was that experience? Do not hesitate to reach out. We function like a well-oiled machine, which can feel intimidating at first, but everyone here is incredibly kind. The team is fueled by passion—we are all here because we want to be, which creates an amazing environment for growth and learning. Even though we mostly work remotely, we are always available to help, so don’t be afraid to connect and ask questions. What advice would you give to someone new starting at Vispero? I love reading and cooking, especially experimenting with different recipes and methods. My high school-aged kids keep me busy as they prepare for the next stage in life, but I also enjoy taking care of my pets and my backyard chicken flock. Even though I do not get to water ski or hike as often as I’d like, both are favorite ways to enjoy the outdoors when the weather cooperates. I feel blessed to have a job I love, and when I want to relax, I often unwind with a good Netflix series or documentary. What are you most passionate about outside of work? I am not sure if it’s a hidden talent, but I play a mean game of Pinochle, and my family is fiercely competitive about it. I am a high energy person, so I keep busy. I also have two dogs, two cats and, of course, a flock of eleven chickens that I enjoy caring for. Do you have any hidden talents or unique hobbies? Share them with us! “People only care how much you know when they know how much you care.” A mentor teacher shared this with me, and it turned out to be both wise and true. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? Professionally, I am exploring how AI and data can help us make better decisions. It is amazing how quickly this technology evolves and how it can empower us all. On the personal side, I am always reading something new, and I am excited to try my hand at using a pellet smoker. I am looking forward to experimenting with different flavors—maybe even smoked cheese, as my smoker has a cold smoker box. What are you currently learning about (either professionally or personally)? I do not always remember every single word, but the energy and essence of Theodore Roosevelt’s quote has stayed with me since my teens: Do you have a favorite quote or motto that you live by? “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” Do you have a favorite quote or motto that you live by? It reminds me that showing up and trying is what really matters, mistakes will always be a part of life. Do you have a favorite quote or motto that you live by? I am not very interested in seeing the future, but I love diving into history, especially when it’s told from lesser-known perspectives. You can learn so much from the little details that mainstream stories often miss. I would travel back in time just to be a fly on the wall, not to change anything, but to understand the nuances that shaped our world. Also, let us be honest, to see some of the more dramatic moments that are not fully known, the part of history that happened behind closed doors. You have a time machine! Would you travel to the past or the future, and why? External links Category: living people Category:Women authors from New Zealand Category:Historians from New Zealand Category: curators Category:Non-fiction authors from New Zealand Category:1968 births Category:Women born in the 1960s