People You Need to Know: Rachel Munday

Over the past decade, Rachel Munday’s name has become synonymous with the Efactory, the rapidly evolving business incubator and resource hub at Missouri State University.

The Springfield native has served in leadership roles there for most of its existence, playing a pivotal role in its expanding footprint, services and engagement within the Springfield area and across the Show-Me State.

“I wanted to be part of creating something bigger than myself, and I believed in it,” she said.

“Creating that community hub and that space of activity, just getting people in the doors has been so important to me from day one because that is when the magic happens – when you connect people.”

Munday will remain tied to Efactory, where she has served as executive director, but stepped into the role of assistant vice president for economic development at MSU on July 1.

Her duties are vast and include leading strategic initiatives, overseeing the intellectual property patent process, and expanding how the university collaborates with business, industry, research and the community.

Part of Munday’s new role is to parlay the Efactory experience into more career exploration and interdisciplinary academic programs for students.

“What we’re going to be able to do next is a game-changer,” she said.

Munday said she wants the university to be at the forefront, leading a “culture of innovation” to solve problems, strengthen the workforce and expand partnerships.

“Every day I am truly working alongside a team that is committed to making our community and that impact better, helping people follow their dreams,” she said.

She said showing up to work each day in a place where people follow their passion and not just “clocking in and clocking out” is critical.

“Whether you’re the person walking in with that idea or you’re a large employer wanting to try a different solution to upskill your workforce or hire students, it’s that problem-solving mentality, that community mindset or that positive, fast-paced ‘What we did yesterday doesn’t have to be what we do tomorrow’ culture,” she said. “It’s the culture I thrive in, I love and that is what is here.”

Munday’s penchant for leadership started early, in conversations around the family dinner table, where critical thinking and public service were prized. She was raised by trained educators who also gave back to the community.

She became a polished writer and communicator in the debate program at Central High School, where she was part of the International Baccalaureate program. Those hallways were also where she crossed paths with future husband Shaun Munday, an international recording artist who she also manages.

At the University of Missouri – where she created a personalized degree path – Munday served as student body president.

She took on leadership roles, learned from mentors and refused to get discouraged. She proved doubters wrong when a group she helped start – Peers Against Secondhand Smoke – successfully fought to get Columbia designated as “smoke free.”

“We did it. That really stuck with me that if you really believe in something, even if somebody tells you it’s not possible, it’s OK to still try and go do it,” she said. “It was a really good life lesson.”

Munday said when she is passionate and sets her mind on a goal, it is hard to stop her.

After college, Munday led marketing and business development for a global consulting firm based in Los Angeles and co-founded an education technology startup. She also has experience in government relations, alumni engagement, recruiting and fundraising.

Munday was plotting a move to New York City when she returned to Springfield for a couple of months, just to save money. She said the visit, and the ability to see the Queen City with fresh eyes, changed her trajectory.

“I truly fell in love with my hometown again,” she said.

She said the opportunities that existed here, where her family and friends lived, made her want to invest her time and talents in her own community.

“I decided really overnight that this is where I wanted to be and the impact I wanted to make,” she said. “I haven’t looked back since.”