RACHEL GOODSPEED, Principal Consultant
After serving in the U.S. Air Force as a public affairs officer, most notably as the lead PAO for the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, Rachel traded her combat boots for stilettos to continue her work in strategic communications and community relations for the State of Washington and later, for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Europe. While in Europe, she facilitated special events and site visits on military construction projects in Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Georgia, Kosovo and Romania. She also served as a public affairs expert for the National Guard's State Partnership Program, providing crisis communications advice and training to Ministries of Defense in Belgium, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Rachel was frequently requested by name to support the U.S. Army, U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command.
In 2012, Rachel moved back to the U.S. and was given the opportunity to lead the public relations activities for United Way of Greater Cincinnati in support of its annual $50 million-plus fundraising campaign. In 2014, she transitioned to the corporate side to manage foundation grantmaking and community relations for Southern Indiana-based utility Vectren, refining the foundation’s impact strategy and supporting the company’s employee engagement activities across Ohio and Indiana. Most notably, she served as the company’s point-person for its sponsorship of the Dayton Air Show. After the company was purchased by Houston-based CenterPoint Energy, Rachel supported the merger of Vectren’s foundation and community relations work with CenterPoint Energy’s corporate giving and community engagement programs, which ultimately expanded into Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Minnesota. In 2019, she transitioned to the health care industry, working for CareSource and led efforts to revamp the CareSource Foundation’s giving strategy and grantmaking process.
At the “ripe old age” of 40, Rachel decided to leave Corporate America and founded GOODSpeed Strategies to focus on her passion for helping organizations reorganize, refine and redefine business strategies and operational processes, as well as coaching professionals newly entering the the field of philanthropy. She also laced back up her combat boots to serve as PAO for the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing, and continues her work with the Dayton Air Show. Rachel and her her husband, Ross, own and operate a small farm, Goodspeeds R&R, where they continue to grow their farm family and share the farm experience with visitors.
Rachel is a Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of ‘04 (aka. she graduated from Texas A&M University in College State, Texas, in 2004) and former member of the Corps of Cadets Squadron 3 Thunderbirds where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis on creative writing. In 2010, she earned her Master of Arts in Communications from Ellis University. She is currently attending Squadron Officer School at Air University.
Rachel is an avid community supporter, serving on multiple boards and committees. She is a sought-after advisor to foundation leaders, community organizations and state agencies. She is a regular presenter for training in philanthropy, strategic communications and public affairs, and is regularly asked to support the review/scoring process for community, state and federal grants.
