FAST FIVE United Way's Rachel Peterson: A servant's heart, an entrepreneur's spirit
Meet Rachel Peterson, who hails from Bremerton, Wash., where she was raised by Grandpa — and she got an early start as a volunteer.
At age 3, she called bingo numbers with Grandpa at the Elks and St. Vincent and read to residents at Martha Mary’s retirement home. She befriended some of the residents there and remembers Mary and Joe as her best friends.
Rachel graduated high school at age 15, then graduated with a BA in business from Edmonds College and also has a degree in theology from Shasta. She went to work as a software consultant and volunteered to start an inner-city youth ministry.
Rachel is married to Mark, who served in the Air Force and is now an electrician. She is the mother of seven children, six boys and one girl ages 11 to 25. One of them became her son through her work with an inner-city ministry in Washington, another one is from Shanghai. Now that she has moved to North Idaho, five boys remain in Boise, while the sixth and eighth graders are here.
Beside volunteering, Rachel is a serial entrepreneur. In 1999 she founded her first small business, and then went on to start, develop and later sell three small businesses in three states, all of which are still prospering!
She has volunteered in youth ministry for a long time and continues to volunteer at her current church. She led women’s ministries in two states and served on many nonprofit boards and committees.
As you may know, she is the new executive director of United Way of North Idaho, and, as such, sits on the state steering team for findhelpidaho.org and the state steering team for community schools.
Among other things, Rachel enjoys fitness, culinary arts, music, outdoor recreation, foraging and reading. She is delighted to join this community and looking forward to getting to know all of you.
1) What are you most looking forward to leading United Way of North Idaho?
I am both honored and excited about the opportunity to lead United Way of North Idaho in its local-centric mission of being a convenor of individuals, business and nonprofits the five northern counties of Idaho. My excitement is bolstered by our amazing staff and community who are passionate about making a difference.
2) When did you first work in the nonprofit sector and what did you do in those early years?
I volunteered in my community at St. Vincent, Elks and Martha and Mary retirement home from age 3. I don’t recall it feeling like work or an obligation. I enjoyed serving others and meeting interesting people of all ages. Those are some of my favorite childhood memories.
3) Why is an organization like United Way so important for any community?
United Way is a unique nonprofit in that each location is highly local-centric, operating with a local board, local donors and local business partners in data-driven local work. In North Idaho specifically we are able to focus on the areas of most need — namely the ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) population work — and partner with hundreds of individuals, businesses and other nonprofits to increase the impact we make in the community.
4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
That I was raised helping administrate my grandparents' three businesses: construction company, fish and game club and art gallery with a custom frame shop.
5) What are a few of your favorite pastimes when you are off duty?
I have a variety of interests, but not included above would be travel, live music and pottery.
