Rachel Munday serves as the Assistant Vice President for Economic Development at Missouri State University, providing strategic leadership for partnerships and programs that connect businesses, communities, researchers, and students with opportunities for growth and innovation. She oversees efactory, the university’s nationally recognized center for business and economic development, where she leads efforts to accelerate business creation, strengthen the workforce, and expand university-industry collaboration.
Since joining efactory in 2015, Rachel has played a central role in the organization’s growth and statewide impact. She helped transform a former poultry processing plant into an international award-winning innovation center and an anchor of IDEA Commons, an 88-acre urban innovation district in downtown Springfield. Under her leadership, efactory has expanded its entrepreneurial support services, workforce development programs, and industry partnerships, serving thousands of entrepreneurs, students, and employers across Missouri.
Rachel brings more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning the private, public, higher education, and startup sectors. Before joining Missouri State, she led marketing and business development for a global consulting firm based in Los Angeles and co-founded an education technology startup. Her experience also includes research, fundraising, government relations, alumni engagement, and recruiting.
An active community leader, Rachel serves on the boards of Springfield-Branson National Airport, Downtown Springfield Association, United Way Ozarks Region and the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments. She also contributes to advisory boards for Springfield Public Schools, Biz417, and Missouri State’s National Science Foundation S-STEM Advisory Board.
Rachel was named a 2024 Woman of Achievement by the Missouri Lieutenant Governor and a Rising Star by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. She has also been recognized in Biz 417’s “10 for the Next 10” and “Biz 100” and the Springfield Business Journal’s “People You Need to Know.”
Rachel is a graduate of the University of Missouri, where she served as student body president. She earned a Bachelor of General Studies in business, communication, and political science, with a minor in public service and leadership.
Outside of her university and community work, Rachel manages international recording artist Shaun Munday and remains a passionate believer in music’s power to change the world. She lives in Springfield with her husband and their Yorkiepoo.
