The League Pulse Archives
The Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri: women building better communities.
Meet the Board | Rachel Sexton
Meet Rachel Sexton, Director of Fund Development.
The Director of Fund Development supports the amazing Committees that run League fundraisers – Holiday Mart and Take Five – and works with the Chairs that sit on the Gifts & Funding Committee to generate revenue through means including individual donations from members (please and thank you!), sponsorships and shopping events (“Shopportunities”) like a Kate Spade night where 10 percent of sales go back to the League. This is a particularly exciting year because the Fund Development Council is also strategizing on the next fundraiser to become a part of the League’s legacy.
As Director of Fund Development, nothing would make Rachel happier than if you remembered a few numbers:
- Over the past 100 years, the League has given the community more than 2.2 million volunteer hours and have raised more than $14 million
- $8 million of that has come from the largest fundraiser, Holiday Mart
- Every year, Holiday Mart brings in more than half a million dollars!
In keeping with that theme, here are a few facts about Rachel, by the numbers:
16 – The number of years Rachel has worked for VPR Companies. She started as a writer/producer and now manages patient-to-patient programs for people with diabetes, multiple sclerosis and cancer.
9 – The number of years Rachel says she’s been a part of the Junior League of Kansas City, Missouri. (Technically, it’s 11, but she feels much younger saying nine…kind of her volunteer equivalent of being 29 forever!)
4 – The number of cars Rachel’s owned since she was 16. That might not be all that unusual for a 29 year old (wink, wink) but it might be unusual for someone who is, say, 38.
3 – The number of people who call her “Mom”. Rachel calls them Will (8), Grayson (6) and Kitty (2). When her oldest asked her what exactly she did when she left the house for Junior League meetings was what inspired her to develop Little Leaguers four years ago. While there is so much about her League experience that makes Rachel proud, knowing that Little Leaguers has become a full-fledged committee that gives members a chance to introduce their children to the joys of voluntarism is in on the top of her list!
1- The number of people it takes to make a difference! “Hey, if I can’t have Hoda’s legs, at least let me have her lines!” This is one of many things said from the stage at the Celebrating a Century of Service luncheon that really struck a chord with Rachel.
“Not only can we each make such a difference on our community, we can also make SUCH a huge difference for each other. I wasn’t born the JLKCMO super fan that I am today. It was a combination of Jennifer Bertels telling me that she thought I would enjoy Leadership Institute…and Julie Schoemehl nominating me for a Kansas City Business Magazine awards…and Stacey Bishop telling me that she saw leadership potential in me that made me want to be more and do more than I ever imagined I could. I am forever grateful to the women in our organization who have shaped me and am humbled to think that I – that WE – can do the same for our fellow members,” said Rachel.
