Editor’s note: Twenty under 40! is a collaborative effort between the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce’s ystark! and the Canton Repository. It recognizes young professionals in Stark County. This year’s honorees are being featured weekdays leading up to the awards celebration, which will be June 25 at the Cultural Center for the Arts in Canton.
Rachel Schaefer enjoys serving others.
For her, she’s in the perfect job to do that as regional director for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
“I truly love my job and the opportunity it gives me to serve Ohioans,” she said. “In this role, I have the privilege of helping connect people with resources from the Attorney General’s Office, building relationships across communities, and staffing the attorney general when he is in my region. My work includes connecting with local officials, law enforcement, chambers of commerce, nonprofit leaders, businesses, and community organizations.”
Schaefer, 28, who lives in Green with her husband, whom she married in June, also has launched a podcast, “The Rachel Schaefer Show,” where she has conversations about faith, leadership, purpose, and experiences that shape people. She volunteers with the children’s ministry at The Chapel in Green and serves as a general volunteer for special events, including Jesus Prom; serves as northeast regional vice chair of the Ohio Young Republicans; serves on the board of the Stark County Young Republicans; and is a member of ystark!.
Schaefer, who graduated from Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in Cuyahoga Falls, is a first-generation college student. She received bachelor’s degrees in communication, with a concentration in public advocacy, and psychology from Purdue University Fort Wayne. Before she joined the Attorney General’s Office, Schaefer presented academic research at national conferences and had research published in academic journals, including “Motivation Science” and “Sleep.”
“Professionally, I want to continue a career rooted in public service, serving Ohioans, connecting people with resources, and helping communities become stronger,” Schaefer said about her future goals. “I also hope to keep growing as a communicator, leader, and someone who uses her platform and relationships to make a positive difference.
“I hope to grow my podcast, continue writing, and find new ways to serve others through my faith, my work, and the opportunities God places in front of me.”
Who nominated Rachel Schaefer for the Twenty under 40! honor?
Quinn Schaefer, her partner and the media director at The Chapel in Green, nominated Schaefer for the Twenty under 40! honor.
“Rachel’s professional life is a reflection of who she is at her core,” Quinn Schaefer wrote in his nomination. “She is incredibly driven, but everything she does is tied to helping people, serving others well, and making a real difference in the communities around her. … One of the things I admire most about Rachel is that she does not separate professional success from personal purpose. She has a real heart for advocacy, especially when it comes to mental health and helping people feel supported and understood. That has shown up in her academic research, in her published writing, and in the way she carries herself professionally. She cares about the bigger picture and about how her work can genuinely improve people’s lives.”
Here are some of Rachel Schaefer’s professional accomplishments
Here are some of Rachel Schaefer’s professional accomplishments:
The Canton Repository posed several questions to Schaefer about working in Stark County. Here are her answers:
What advice would you give the younger generation when it comes to advancing in their careers or strengthening Stark County?
Be bold enough to reach out to people who are doing what you hope to do. I think a lot of young people assume that leaders, CEOs, elected officials, business owners, or community leaders do not have time to sit down with them, but in my experience, people are often more willing to help than you realize.
Ask questions. Invite someone to coffee. Learn from people who are a few steps ahead of you. Those conversations can open doors, build confidence, and help you see what is possible.
When it comes to strengthening Stark County, show up, listen well, attend events, introduce yourself to people you do not know, and look for ways to connect people. A lot of good things happen when people are willing to have real conversations and work together. I truly believe communities move forward when people remember that we are one community and should be working together, not against each other.
What motivates or inspires you to better the community?
My faith is the biggest motivator in my life. I love the Lord, and my desire to serve others comes from my belief that every person is created in the image of God and has a unique purpose.
Scripture calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and that is what inspires me to serve my community. I want to live a life that reflects Christ’s love, and for me, that means showing up for people, listening to them, helping connect them with resources, and doing whatever I can to make my community stronger.
I am also constantly inspired by the people in our community who are already doing amazing work. There are so many people serving, building, leading, and quietly making a difference, and I want to support them in any way I can.
What is the best career advice you’ve ever been given?
The best career advice I have ever been given is to find people who are doing what you want to do, sit down with them, ask them questions, and learn from them.
In the same vein, I think it is so important to have a mentor, someone you trust, who you can run things by and who can help you block out the noise. There will always be opinions, distractions and pressure, but having wise people in your corner makes such a difference.
So much of life comes down to being willing to reach out. Ask someone to coffee. Let them get to know you. Learn from their experiences. You never know what doors one conversation can open.
List three to five things people might not know about you.
Why do you think Stark County is a great place to live and work?
Stark County is a great place to live and work because of the people. Everywhere I go, I meet people who are willing to have a conversation, make connections, support one another, and work together to strengthen the community.
There is also so much to do here. Whether you are interested in local restaurants, shopping, great schools, community events, or professional opportunities, Stark County has a little bit of everything. It feels like a place where people genuinely care about building something good together.
What are your top three favorite things to do in Stark County when not working?
First, I enjoy catching up with friends, usually over Mexican food at Tlaquepaque or coffee at places like Ohio Roasting Co. or Tremont Coffee in Massillon.
Second, I enjoy attending community events like We Believe in Canton.
Third, my husband and I love spending time outdoors, so we are avid explorers of Stark Parks!
What’s your favorite sports team and why?
The Cleveland Browns. What can I say? I am a sucker for loyalty, hope and saying, “This is our year.”
Describe your perfect evening.
My perfect evening would probably involve a coffee shop, an extra hot coffee, a good book, and meaningful conversation with someone I love. I love evenings that feel peaceful but still connected, where you can slow down, talk about life, laugh, read, and just enjoy being present.
Name a personal hero and explain why you chose them.
A personal hero of mine is my mom. She raised me as a single mom, and I know it was not always easy. She also built her own successful business from the ground up and ran it for 18 years.
I admire my mom because she works incredibly hard and gives so much of herself to other people without asking for anything in return. She remains humble, faithful and steady. She has been one of the most constant people in my life, and her example has taught me what it means to show up for the people you love, keep going when life is hard, and serve others without needing recognition.
What’s a food or drink that you couldn’t live without? Explain why.
Definitely Pulp’s Protein Packer smoothie. It is basically the perfect peanut butter smoothie, and I even learned how to make it at home, which is saving me some money!
I love it because it is filling, tastes amazing, and feels semi-healthy. Plus, peanut butter contains tryptophan, which helps the body produce serotonin, so drinking a Protein Packer is basically like getting a hug in a cup.
You can listen to only one musical artist for the rest of your life. Who is it and why?
Dermot Kennedy. His music makes you feel connected to the songs and to him as a writer, and I really resonate with a lot of his lyrics.
His songs are emotional, thoughtful, and beautifully written, so he would definitely be my choice.
If you could plan your ultimate vacation, money isn’t a concern, where would you go?
Somewhere with the bluest water imaginable, sunshine, and no schedule. The Maldives would probably be at the top of my list. I would love a peaceful, beautiful vacation where I could relax, swim, read, eat amazing food, and just enjoy the ocean.
What’s a small thing that instantly makes your day better?
A kind text from a friend or family member, or an extra hot cup of coffee. Both can instantly turn a day around.
What’s a movie or TV show you can rewatch over and over?
“Judge Judy!” She is sharp, direct, hilarious, and I feel like I learn something every time I watch an episode.
What’s one hobby or interest people might not expect from you?
I love reviewing books. It has grown into something I really enjoy doing in my spare time, and I am now getting books sent to me by publishers to review.
Also, playing Frisbee.
What’s a tradition, big or small, you look forward to every year?
One tradition I look forward to every year is the Christmas season with my family. I love the coziness, the time with people I love, the Christmas lights, and the chance to slow down and focus on the real reason for the season.
What’s your favorite way to recharge?
My favorite way to recharge is being at home with my husband, possibly watching a movie or reading a new Freida McFadden book. And even if it is evening, a great extra hot cup of coffee would put the cherry on top!
What’s a book you’ve read that stuck with you?
“The Prisoner in the Third Cell” by Gene Edwards. I read this book after I lost an immediate family member, and it really helped me think more deeply about my faith, the meaning of life, and what it means to follow God even when life does not look the way you expected.
What’s something on your bucket list you haven’t done yet?
Skydiving! I just have not gotten around to it yet, but it is absolutely something I want to do soon. And hey, if anyone is interested, let me know and we can get a group together!
Rick Armon is managing editor of the Canton Repository and Massillon Independent. He can be reached at 330-580-8310 or rarmon@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Meet Twenty under 40! honoree Rachel Schaefer: ‘Be bold’
Reporting by Rick Armon, Canton Repository / The Repository
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By Rick Armon, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
