Forty Under 40: Rachel Cox

Raised by her grandparents and a single mother, Rachel Cox learned from an early age to work. When she was 12, she got her first job. She managed a grocery store when she was 15 and sold commercial real estate when she was 18.

Born and raised in Rogers, Cox also became a single mom when she was 18, and she said that was two things: life’s greatest blessing and a catalyst.

“It put a fire in me to get through [college] and make sure I could provide for my child and make my way in the world,” she said.

Cox began her nonprofit career as the director of the Teen Action and Support Center. She was just 21 and finishing up college at the University of Arkansas, where she earned a communications degree. Since then, she’s held director-level jobs with numerous groups, notably the United Way of NWA, Havenwood, Souls Harbor NWA and Healing Gardens of Northwest Arkansas.

Compassion House, which offers free transitional housing specifically for pregnant and young women, hired her as chief executive two years ago. She restructured operations to a more comprehensive model with extended stays, case management, counseling, prenatal care and parenting classes.

Cox also helped the nonprofit grow from 120 donors to 580 and increased the annual budget from $183,000 to $463,000. She said the nonprofit is working on a development campaign to launch later this year to expand services.

“We have a lot to be proud of, but that’s more than just numbers,” Cox said. “That’s lives impacted.”

A mother of seven — including four adopted out of foster care — Cox has completed numerous leadership classes. She is working toward earning a Certificate in Fundraising Management (CFRM) through the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.