Rachel Riley of Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board Named Philadelphia Business Journal 40 Under 40 Winner
309 individuals were nominated before the PBJ selected the 40 that were honored during Thursday’s virtual award ceremony.
Rachel is an award-winning multimedia storyteller and former journalist with more than 16 years of experience from writing to in front of and behind the camera in both news and tourism industries.
She was promoted from manager to director in her first year at the VFTCB, and then director to senior director after her positive leadership through the public health pandemic in 2020.
Working closely with the senior executive team, Rachel oversees communications, presentations, public relations, social media, government and regional relations, arts and culture, sales partnerships, board business, and Monty the Fox mascot.
VFTCB President & CEO Mike Bowman says, “The team is so proud of Rachel and all she continues to accomplish. With hard work comes big accomplishments, and she has, without question, shown this to be true. The VFTCB is so fortunate to have Rachel on the team and congratulates her on this well-deserved honor.”
An excellent spokesperson for the organization, Rachel also helped launch Bike Montco and other videos, led the charge for both the #MontCoStrong t-shirt and Freedom from Hunger community fundraisers, which raised $25k and more than 20k pounds of food.
She holds dozens of “Town Talks,” or presentation conversations with dozens of municipalities in Montco, launched the “Tourism Talks” panel, and is working on two promotional events to support restaurants and arts and culture venues in 2021.
Since 2018, she has helped the VFTCB apply for and win almost 100 awards. To date, Rachel has earned more than 4,000 article placements for 613 million in exposure for the org. She has also led the nonprofit’s social growth to more than 162,000 with millions of video views and individuals reached.
She was named one of PR News’ Top Women in PR 2019, and received Honorable Mention for PR News’ PR People Media Relations Professional of the Year in 2018.
Rachel has interviewed area political figures such as the Montgomery County Commissioners, Congressional reps, actors like Jon Voight and Richard Schiff, Pro Champion Golfer Tiger Woods, and Olympic gold medalist Carli Lloyd. At both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, she covered President (then Vice President) Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama, and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
A member of the Public Relations Society of America, the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance, and the Philadelphia Public Relations Association, Rachel has presented at e-Tourism Summit, and Visit Philly’s Social Media Day. Rachel is a Bucks County Big Sister match graduate and continued mentor.
Rachel credits her mom and Gram for the best advice she’s ever been given stating, “When I was younger, my mom and Gram always told me not everyone is going to like you, so you’d better accept that and learn to like yourself. You’re the only one who’s going to have to face you in the mirror every day.” To date, her proudest accomplishment is being a mom and bonus mom (stepmom) to her five-year-old and 11-year-old boys.
The Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board congratulates Rachel Riley on being named a 40 Under 40 winner!
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