Rachelle Hopsicker was appointed as Executive Director of the Huntingdon County United Way in November of 2023. Rachelle has an extensive background in non-profit organization management, event management, volunteerism, and community leadership.
Her leadership experience includes ongoing service as chairperson of Hartslog Heritage Day, the largest and longest running heritage festival of its kind in Alexandria. Since 2003, she has managed this event by organizing multiple volunteer committees, coordinating event-day infrastructure, interfacing with community constituents, and working closely with both local and state government entities. She is a lifetime member of the Hartslog Heritage Museum Board.
From 2011 to 2020, Rachelle, also known as Coach Rock, set new program records in both single-season and conference wins as head coach of the Juniata Valley Lady Hornets Basketball team. She led the team to two Class 1A State Finals (2017 and 2018), a District 6 Championship (2018), and four conference co-championships (2017, 2018, 2018, 2020). She was honored as the 2017 Altoona Mirror Coach of the Year, the 2017 Pennsylvania Writers Coach of the Year, and the 2017 and 2018 Huntingdon Daily News Area Coach of the Year. In this role, she also coordinated the Lady Hornet Basketball Camp and created a volunteer-based elementary basketball program and “team experience” practice squad. In addition to her success on the court, Coach Rock was passionate about the development of her players off the court. During her tenure at Juniata Valley, her program became synonymous with community and volunteer engagement. It was not uncommon to see her team volunteering at the United Way Day of Caring, Toys for Tots, Grugan and Miller Run, Huntingdon Soup Kitchen, helping vendors set up at Hartslog Day, volunteering for Huntingdon County Pride, or contributing in other meaningful ways within the community. Rachelle also served as assistant women’s basketball coach at both Saint Francis University (2020) and Juniata College (1999-2002).
From 2009 to 2013, Rachelle served as Women’s Heart Health Coordinator at the former J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital (currently Penn Highlands Huntingdon). Here, under the direction of the Marketing and Community Relations Department, she demonstrated her event management and volunteerism skills through the organization of luncheons and presentations, health conferences, and medical screenings. She also created educational materials for the offices of women’s heart health. Furthermore, she served as chairperson of the J.C. Blair Hospital’s Children’s Health Fair and as a board member of that organization’s Auxiliary.
Over the years, Rachelle has been involved in a variety of additional organizations, including Alexandria Borough Council Board Member, Juniata Valley School District (Bike/Walk to School Day, Assistant Coordinator), Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church (Hospitality Committee Chairperson and Children’s Liturgy Instructor), and Huntingdon Women’s Softball League (President).
Rachelle is a 1996 graduate of Fordham University where she majored in Spanish Studies and minored in Political Justice. She was a scholarship athlete and four-year letter winner as a member of the Fordham Lady Ram’s basketball team.
Rachelle lives in Alexandria, Pennsylvania, with her husband Peter and their two daughters Kathryn and Madelyn.