RACHEL KUNTZSCH:
 
RACHEL KUNTZSCH




 
 
 
 
 
Founder and President of Kuntzsch Business Services, Inc. (KBS) in Grand Ledge. KBS provides business development and program management services to nonprofit organizations, businesses, and communities across Michigan. With a focus on advancing new energy solutions, enhancing natural resource conservation, and creating economic opportunities for Michigan, KBS has developed and implemented innovative and sustainable initiatives since 2004. Clients include Leap, Michigan State University, NextEnergy, and Heart of the Lakes Center for Land Conservation Policy, for which Kuntzsch serves as executive director. KBS has partnered with Kinetik Partners to develop successful proposals for URV USA, awarded $3.5 million through a Centers of Energy Excellence designation, and $4 million through Michigan's Clean Energy Advanced Manufacturing program. Previously, Kuntzsch was a part of the team that launched NextEnergy in 2002 and served as its director of business development until 2004. Prior to that, she was a business development manager at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and held various sales and marketing roles at Moore Data Management Services/VISTA Information Solutions. She serves on the board of the Michigan Nonprofit Association, the state's Agriculture Preservation Fund, and on Grand Ledge's Parks and Recreation Commission. Kuntzsch received her bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Michigan State University.


WHERE BORN: “Kalamazoo.”

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS: “My parents certainly instilled in me a strong work ethic and sense of personal responsibility. My first boss taught me to always have a proposed solution when raising an issue and to view even tough challenges as opportunities. That perspective really stuck with me.”

LAST BOOK READ: “Nudge by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein is about the social influences that affect choices we make and how we can be nudged to making better ones to improve health, environment, and financial positions.”

WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME: “Direct, optimistic, resourceful, hard-working.”

WHERE MY FIELD/INDUSTRY IS HEADED: “We work with companies, organizations, and communities that help to drive funding and help to build projects in the areas of green infrastructure and sustainability. We see the developing convergence of these fields. It will encompass anything from green space to improved energy efficiency to arts and culture. I'm excited to see this convergence and recognition of how it ties to social and economic well being, as well.”

FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL GADGET: “My iPhone - don't leave home without it.”

FAVORITE PLACE: “Besides home, the sugar sand beaches of Lake Michigan. Not much better place than that”

FAVORITE HOBBIES: “I don't have time for a lot but I do run - a lot of road races in the summer and fall. My husband and I started doing triathlons, which are a lot of fun.”

FAVORITE FOOD: “There's not much I don't like, but sometimes I can over-consume chocolate.”

MY HIDDEN TALENT: “When I was about eight, I learned to knit in 4-H. I haven't had time to make anything in years but can make you a sweater.”

HOW I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED: “As someone who had a lasting impact and helped make communities and the state a better place, economically, socially, and environmentally.”


Grant Thornton Website At the annual awards reception in April 2014, one Leader & Innovator from the previous 12 months will be selected as the Grant Thornton Leader & Innovator of the Year.