- Date published
Rachel Anderson, efactory Director has been selected as the recipient of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Virginia Fry Rising Star Award, which is named after the late Virginia Fry, a pioneer in the legal profession and a beacon in the Springfield community. This award honors an emerging leader and mentor in their chosen profession and in the community – someone age 40 or younger who is already beginning to light the way for women leaders.
Rachel has over 15 years of leadership and management experience. She currently serves as director of the efactory, an innovation, entrepreneurship and business resource center at Missouri State University. She’s the cofounder of Rosie, an organization that supports, assists and advocates for current and prospective female founders, business owners and leaders in the Springfield area.
Rachel is an Advisory Board Member for the Entrepreneurship Strand of GO CAPS and part of the founding core group of NEXT Missouri, a statewide entrepreneurship and innovation advocacy coalition. She has been recognized by Biz 417 as “10 for the next 10” and the Springfield Business Journal’s “12 People You Should Know.”
Rachel Anderson was recognized alongside Crista Hogan, who received the 2022 ATHENA Award. Hogan has served as executive director of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association since 2001. She also serves as executive director of the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Foundation, which addresses community needs for access to justice and public understanding of the legal system.
Both recipients were nominated by the public and selected from among dozens of nominees by an independent panel of judges.
“Once again this year, our judges had a difficult decision from a very strong pool of nominees, and it’s clear that they’ve made excellent choices,” said Chamber President Matt Morrow. “These two community leaders are exceptional examples of the qualities embodied by these awards, and we’re thrilled to be able to honor them on March 10.”
Anderson and Hogan were recognized during the 2022 ATHENA luncheon, featuring keynote speaker Wendy Doyle, president & CEO of United WE, an organization that works to tackle barriers to women’s economic growth and unlock women’s economic potential through research, policy solutions and civic engagement. Wendy is a fierce advocate for women’s economic and civic advancement, and her work has garnered numerous recognitions including a place in the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame.
