Rachel Spencer, 39 / Partner/Advertising & PR, Access Advertising & PR
Rachel Spencer earned her BA in Sociology with a concentration in Communications from Roanoke College in 2004. She received certifications in market research from the University of Georgia, working her way up from a junior PR position to Vice President of Strategic Communications before becoming a partner at Access in 2020. Her work has received more than 40 awards from the Public Relations Society of America and she has contributed to creative executions recognized by the American Advertising Association for creative excellence more than 100 times. She has advised prominent regional companies such as the Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, Roanoke Economic Development Partnership and more. She is a member of Leadership Roanoke Valley and currently studying to complete her accreditation in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America. “As a marketer, I am driven to understand audience behavior and working with so many different clients here; from nonprofits to institutions of higher learning to corporate visionaries, I am constantly gaining new layers of appreciation for the diversity and diversity of experiences in our community,” Spencer says. “I bring that knowledge with me into each new client relationship and hope to help others understand their world and our community a little differently.”
- Began her career in communications with the American Diabetes Association in 2005
- Recipient of Illuminator Award, Blue Ridge Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, 2011
- Volunteers for Roanoke Valley SPCA, Children’s Trust, Feeding SW Virginia, The United Way and others
- Became part of the W.I.S.H. Circle, Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia, 2020, and surpassed her campaign goal by 143% raising $14,314, the most of any participant
From the Nomination: ““… During her relatively young career, Rachel Spencer has already achieved amazing success in her field. … Perhaps her greatest career achievement was stepping into a leadership void at Access in early 2020 right as the pandemic struck. She rose to the occasion, supported the CEO (me) and provided leadership and level-headed guidance that helped the firm navigate those tricky times and actually grow. As a result, she was recently made a partner in the firm. She did all this while raising two preschool kids and helping manage a home, which speaks volumes for her in infinite ways. I can say without reservation that Access may have survived 2020 without Spencer, but it would not have been as happy, healthy or successful. She was there daily — before dawn, long after dark, and on weekends — with thoughtful support and strong guidance, not just for the team, but also for me.”
What do you love about Roanoke?
Spencer: “I didn’t arrive in Roanoke until my adult years, but I am more at home here than I’ve ever been. I came for the quality of life and have stayed for the experience of being part of a place that nurtures leaders. There is a unique energy to Roanoke that propels people and ideas in a way that other communities envy and it’s so exciting to be part of that. This is a place where you can take a chance on just about anything and the support is there. I don’t think that’s the case everywhere. I love watching the evolution of initiatives like Roanoke Innovates, the development of The Bridges, Roanoke Outside and others that are shaping this community for the next generation.”
How does your passion impact our community?
Spencer: “My passion for communication helps me forge connections not only for myself but for others. I have been lucky to work with so many creative and driven leaders in our community and each project, each relationship always opens a door to something new. As a marketer, I am driven to understand audience behavior and working with so many different clients here, from non-profits to institutions of higher learning to corporate visionaries, I am constantly gaining new layers of appreciation for the diversity and diversity of experiences in our community. I bring that knowledge with me into each new client relationship and hope to help others understand their world and our community a little differently.”
