preparer
A person who gets things ready before something happens.
A preparer is someone who gets things ready. When you set out your clothes the night before school, organize your backpack, and pack your lunch, you're being a preparer. A tax preparer helps people fill out their tax forms correctly. A meal preparer chops vegetables, measures ingredients, and gets everything ready before cooking begins.
The word emphasizes the work that happens before the main event. Think of a science teacher setting up an experiment before class starts, testing the equipment and arranging materials so everything runs smoothly. That advance work is what preparers do.
Thinking ahead is part of preparing. Instead of scrambling at the last minute, preparers imagine what they'll need and make sure it's ready. A student who reviews notes before a test, an athlete who stretches before practice, or a stage crew member who checks props before a play all understand that preparation can determine success. The work of a preparer might not be as visible as the final performance or product, but without it, nothing would go smoothly.