Rachel Hensley

COO & Co-Founder

Rachel serves as a core innovation partner at the Appalachian Innovation Collective, bringing a decade of experience in nonprofit work, program development, and strategic planning. She and Stacie have worked closely together for over 10 years, building a trusted partnership rooted in shared values, creativity, and a deep commitment to rural communities.

A graduate of West Liberty University with a degree in Social Work, Rachel discovered her path in the nonprofit world when she joined an organization led by Stacie — a decision that sparked a career built on collaboration, impact, and innovation.

Rachel is a thoughtful strategist and gifted writer whose work has helped secure hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding for mission-driven initiatives. Her ability to blend big-picture thinking with meticulous attention to detail makes her an essential part of designing and delivering the Collective’s programs.

Driven by a passion for lifelong learning, Rachel believes in the power of accessible knowledge and meaningful opportunity. She is especially drawn to work that equips others to grow, lead, and make change in ways that are true to who they are.