Rachel Berens-VanHeest

Rachel is a seasoned communications professional with over two decades of experience, including more than 16 years dedicated to Internal and Employee Communications. Currently serving as Director of Internal Communications and Employee Experience at Quartz, a regional health insurance provider headquartered in Wisconsin, Rachel plays a pivotal role in shaping organizational culture and fostering meaningful employee engagement.

Rachel earned her B.S. in English and Secondary Education (English/Speech/Theatre). She later pursued her passion for media and culture with a Master’s degree in Popular Culture. This interdisciplinary foundation informs her thoughtful, people-centered approach to communication.

Throughout her career, Rachel has steadily advanced through increasingly strategic roles, earning a reputation as a trusted partner to HR and executive leadership. In her current position, she sits within the broader HR function, where she leverages her unique vantage point to understand and influence the full employee experience. Rachel is especially passionate about using communication as a tool not only to inform, but to elevate employee voices, spotlight organizational strengths, and address systemic challenges.

Rachel thrives at the intersection of communication and human connection. Her work exemplifies the power of internal communications as a driver of culture, alignment and employee wellbeing.