Women in Business: Rachel Yessa

Rachel plays a critical role in shaping Lippert’s presence in the RV, automotive and marine industries. She develops partnerships and sponsorships that elevate Lippert’s brand, open opportunities and drive growth. Working closely with marketing, sales and product development teams, Rachel ensures that every partnership aligns with the company’s long-term vision and delivers value. She also pulls OEM and dealer partners into key initiatives.

How has Rachel demonstrated leadership and innovation within her field?

Rachel goes beyond forming partnerships, her nominator says, creating initiatives that drive industry progress. Her focus is on more than brand exposure, strengthening relationships across RV, automotive and marine markets, and opening doors for others in each sector.

Through many of Lippert’s partnerships, Rachel developed a strategic dealer activation model, giving local dealerships a presence at events to connect with consumers. She also led Lippert’s partnership with Bosque Ranch, turning it into an opportunity for both business growth and philanthropy. One example is Bids for Kids, where Rachel helped raise $100,000 for charity while offering an on-location “Yellowstone” filming experience at Bosque Ranch.

Rachel also leads the Rooted in Trades initiative, which encourages people to explore careers in the trades. By bringing in new talent and supporting those already in the field, her nominator says she’s tackling workforce gaps head-on and making it easier for underrepresented groups to find opportunities.

What measurable impact has Rachel had on Lippert?

Rachel co-started Lippert’s internal marketing mentorship program, coaching two to three employees directly and helping 34 marketing team members develop their skills. She also manages more than 10 high-impact partnerships. She has designed and executed dealer activations at partnership events, driving customer engagement and product sales. She has secured partnerships with Bosque Ranch, Professional Bull Riders and Progressive, expanding Lippert’s impact into new markets and uniting diverse stakeholders.

How does Rachel contribute to the ongoing support and growth of women in the RV industry?

Rachel is open to feedback and believes in lifting others up as she climbs, her nominator says. She recently co-created Lippert’s internal marketing mentorship program, helping team members develop strategic skills. Rather than simply discussing empowerment, she actively creates pathways for others to flourish and contribute.

Her leadership philosophy focuses on three things: trusting your instincts and leading with confidence, always asking, “What’s best for the business?” and leaving everything better than you found it.

What challenge(s) has Rachel faced in her career and how did she overcome it?

Before joining Lippert, she spent nearly 14 years at Whole Foods, where she built a foundation in leadership. Although she had no formal training in marketing or the RV space, her nominator says that fresh perspective helped Rachel spot opportunities and challenge outdated approaches.

Early in her career, Rachel was known for her strong drive and determination, but she also realized that leadership is about more than just confidence — it’s about empathy, collaboration and listening. Following a peer evaluation at Whole Foods, she took the feedback to heart, evolving her leadership approach to be more self-aware, emotionally intelligent and team-driven. This shift made her a better leader, mentor and advocate, especially for other women navigating similar challenges.

What else should we know about Rachel?

According to her nominator, Rachel stands out for her ability to build cross-industry partnerships, champion workforce development and continually grow as a leader. She’s not just moving her own career forward — she’s creating pathways for others, especially those who’ve historically been overlooked. When Rachel has an idea, she pursues it without hesitation, matching the energy of her vision with diligent execution and always recognizing the team members who help bring those initiatives to life.

From Rachel

What advice do you have for women in the RV industry?

Trust your intuition and define your North Star — make decisions based on what’s right for the business. Passion and belief in your work are key, but success is never a solo effort. I’m grateful to work with an incredible team that brings even my craziest ideas to life.

One principle I live by: “If I’m the smartest person in the room, we’re in trouble. I want to be the biggest [learner] so I can continue to grow.” — Evy Poumpouras

What does it mean to you to be a Women in Business honoree?

Being recognized among so many incredible women in our industry is truly an honor. I’ve been lucky to learn from the trailblazers before me — women who led by example, took risks and paved the way. My goal is to support and uplift the next generation of women who trust their intuition and push our industry forward.

But it’s not just about the women. The men who prioritize and champion women’s ideas and leadership deserve recognition too. I’ve been fortunate to have incredible men in my life who value collaboration, respect different perspectives and create space for women to lead.

This honor isn’t just about me — it’s about the women before me and the women who will come after — and I’m just grateful to be among them.

For more 2025 Women in Business honorees, click here.