Rachel Waters: Helping Students Discover What’s Possible

Author: Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Published: Thursday, 05 Feb 2026

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Image caption: Rachel Waters, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa board member and volunteer, is passionate about helping students build confidence, explore career paths, and gain real-world skills for future success.

For Rachel Waters, getting involved with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa was about giving back in a meaningful way — and helping students gain the confidence and skills needed to navigate their futures.

Born and raised in Marion, Rachel attended Marion High School before earning her degree from Mount Mercy University. With a professional background that spans sales, hospitality, higher education, and now commercial real estate, she brings a well-rounded perspective to her role on the Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa Board. Rachel currently works full-time in commercial real estate with GLD Commercial and lives in Marion with her husband, Wes, and their two dogs, Harvey and Mango.

Rachel joined Junior Achievement (JA) in September 2023 after realizing she didn’t have access to programs like JA while growing up — programs she knows would have made a difference for her. Without children of her own, she was looking for a way to connect with young people and make a lasting impact. Junior Achievement offered the perfect opportunity.

“I enjoy connecting with students who are exploring what they want to become and helping them gain skills and confidence to set themselves up for future success,” Rachel shared.

One of her favorite volunteer experiences is participating in JA Career Inspire. Watching students experience those “aha” moments as they begin to explore potential career paths is especially rewarding for her. She also strongly believes in the importance of financial literacy, recognizing it as a life skill every student needs.

“Junior Achievement does an incredible job of bringing financial concepts to life through hands-on programs like JA BizTown® Mobile and JA Finance Park® Mobile,” Rachel said. “These experiences allow students to engage with real-world financial decisions in a fun and meaningful way.”

Serving on the JA board has also shifted Rachel’s perspective on education. Growing up, financial literacy and career exploration weren’t always openly discussed — or prioritized — in schools. Seeing students now gain access to these resources reinforces her belief in the importance of JA’s mission.

Rachel hopes her role on the board will inspire more peers and community members to get involved through volunteering and giving. She’s also excited to continue expanding her own involvement, including stepping into a classroom to teach for the first time.

“Even small amounts of time can make a meaningful impact,” she encourages. “There are so many ways to get involved, no matter your schedule.”

Through her leadership and service, Rachel is helping ensure students across Eastern Iowa feel more prepared, confident, and empowered as they take their next steps toward the future.