RACHEL COFFMAN has climbed to the highest peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro and swam to the edge of Victoria Falls , and even after traveling the globe , this Mountaineer still believes there is nowhere like West Virginia .

“ No place in the world makes me feel like West Virginia makes me feel ,” she says . “ I see so much potential here , and I am proud to be able to contribute to the conversation on how our state needs to be shaped for the next generation .”

Coffman , now the vice president and director of creative services at TSG Consulting , did not consider herself a risk taker until 2005 when she heard former Marshall University President Stephen Kopp speak at her alma mater .

“ President Kopp said that in life when you get comfortable , it means you have stopped growing ,” she says . “ Seek being uncomfortable because when you feel uneasy is when you are learning . His speech has always stuck with me and helped push me at times in life when I could have settled .”

A few weeks after hearing that speech , Coffman applied for an internship with ISP Sports , now IMG College .“ That internship was the start of my career ,” she says . “ Everything from that point on stemmed from that action I made after hearing that speech .”

Growing up , Coffman ’ s parents instilled in her the strong work ethic she has maintained throughout her career . Her mom , a teacher , and her dad , a union laborer , set concrete examples of the type of professional she wanted to be .

“ My parents both devoted their careers to molding things of significance ,” she says . “ My dad sculpted plaster into the fine details while my mom molded her students into appreciating the values of respect and teamwork . They had two vastly different career paths that each had tangible results . That ’ s why I enjoy being a part of public policy — I can be interactive in improving the landscape of our state .”

In 2010 , Coffman joined TSG Consulting , where she began to learn the governmental relations process from Tom Susman , TSG ’ s president .

“ I owe a lot of where I am today to Tom ,” she says . “ He has been a key mentor to me and has pushed me out of my comfort zone . Being able to work alongside experts like Tom and Joe Gollehon

Coffman believes her strong will , drive and ability to multitask are what have attributed to her success , and it is her passion for her community that motivates her volunteer efforts . She serves on boards for the Friends of the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences , Public Relations Society of America West Virginia Chapter , Opportunity West Virginia , FestivAll and the Greater Sissonville Development Council . As Carnaval cochair , she has been a key member in developing the Clay Center ’ s pinnacle fundraiser for the last seven years . She also serves on the governmental relations committee for the West Virginia Manufacturers Association and the West Virginia

Chamber of Commerce . This year she was appointed to Governor Jim Justice ’ s transition team on health policy .

In 2016 , Coffman addressed the limited resources in her hometown of Sissonville , WV , by using her professional contacts to create a career day for ninth and 10th grade students at Sissonville High School .

More than 30 professionals from various career clusters spent the morning in sessions with students , offering them real-world examples of potential careers .

When she isn ’ t juggling projects or volunteering ,

Coffman can be found mentoring young adults . By offering guidance to West

Virginia ’ s youth , Coffman sees the endless potential the Mountain State holds .

“ This state is full of opportunity , and it ’ s an amazing place for a young professional to get involved and have your voice heard at an early age ,” she says .“ When I see the phrase ‘ struggle to stay ,’ I feel it ignites the negative narrative more than counteracting it . It is important for us to educate our middle school and high school children on why they need to stay and how to be entrepreneurs and create their own opportunity .” •

has been instrumental in my career because they are the best at what they do .”

MAGGIE MATSKO

TRACY TOLER