Meet our July Employee Campaign Manager (ECM) Spotlight: Rachel Gudde of Forvis Mazars!
For Rachel Gudde, supporting the community isn’t just part of her job—it’s deeply embedded in her company’s culture and mission. As an Employee Campaign Manager (ECM), Rachel has helped transform how her colleagues and network give back, fostering not just participation but genuine excitement for engagement.
“We prioritize our involvement in the community because it is truly part of our DNA,” Rachel explains. “It is part of our mission to serve our community and help not only our clients and employees, but our community members, unlock their full potential.”
That commitment was on full display during her firm’s annual United Way campaign, which saw record-breaking success this year. After stepping into the ECM role a couple of years ago, Rachel was determined to evolve the campaign and made strategic changes to boost engagement.
This year, the company’s campaign saw over 30% growth in participation, bringing in more than $400,000 in total donations, an 8% increase from the previous year. Rachel attributes that success to an innovative team challenge approach, designed to get everyone—from executives to staff—personally invested.
“We divided our office into six teams, each led by members of our partnership group,” she shares. “Every team had a fundraising goal, and we added fun reward incentives.”
But the success of the campaign runs deeper than numbers or prizes. For Rachel, it’s about creating a culture of service—one that aligns with both United Way’s mission and the values of her firm.
“The reason we partner with United Way is our common alignment in values,” she says. “We both believe in building a stronger community, and that helps everybody here in Kansas City.”
Beyond the campaign, Rachel also helps lead broader volunteer efforts in the Kansas City office. During the firm’s Impact Week each year in June, employees logged over 250 volunteer hours  with United Way and other local nonprofits.
“We get so busy in our day-to-day work, and it’s nice that we can take a break and remember what’s really important—that we can come together and serve our community and make that impact,” she said.
Rachel is especially proud of the ripple effect she’s seen in her workplace. She shared, “The things that I’ve learned over the last two years about what United Way does for our community—I’ve been able to take that and educate others within our firm to know the same.”
That passion, combined with innovative leadership and team spirit, is why Rachel is being recognized as a nominee for United Way of Greater Kansas City’s Employee Campaign Manager of the Year Award at this year’s WaymakerTM Awards. In addition, Forvis Mazars has been selected as a nominee for the All-In Award—an honor that celebrates companies who go above and beyond to support the community.
“Our goal is to have 100% participation, whether that’s giving financially or donating your time,” says Rachel. “We really want to see everyone doing their part and being involved in some way.”
Rachel is helping her colleagues see how small actions, whether it’s an hour of service or a single donation, add up to lasting change for the entire community. To learn about more ECMs who are making a difference in our community, click here.