Our Team
J. Rachel Gustafson
Follow on Twitter: @jrachelgus
J. Rachel Gustafson joined CoreMessage in May 2007 and has worked with clients to develop strategic communications plans, develop messaging and execute public awareness campaigns. From community outreach efforts to statewide legislative initiatives, Rachel leads client accounts and supervises the firm’s overarching new media strategy and stakeholder efforts.
In April 2011, Rachel was presented with the top Grand All Image Award from the Capital Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association for her work on a legislative transportation funding initiative. The public awareness campaign secured a gubernatorial veto of a multi-million dollar raid on the State Transportation Trust Fund saving more than 80,000 Florida jobs and receiving over 5.2 million media impressions. Rachel also assisted in the launch and execution of the 2008 “Explore Adoption” campaign, a public awareness initiative aimed to promote adoption and encourage Floridians to adopt children from their own communities. As an “Explore Adoption” team member, Rachel conducted casting for television and radio public service announcements while also working to generate earned media attention and facilitate community partnership efforts. Rachel continues to further the reach of this campaign through its re-launch, following two years of record adoption rates across the state.
Prior to joining the CoreMessage team, Rachel served as the public outreach coordinator at the Claude Pepper Museum & Library at Florida State University, where she worked to increase museum admission through earned media tactics and facilitating special events. Rachel graduated from Florida State University’s College of Communication with a bachelor’s in public relations and was presented with the College’s Academic Leadership Award. A product of Democratic upbringing, Rachel’s father served as Democrat Speaker of House in the late 80s and early 90s. She currently serves is the President of the Tallahassee Network of Young Professionals and is on the board of the Florida Public Relations Association.