Rachel Burgess Yost

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT RACHEL BURGESS YOST

I’m a Managing Partner at S.I.R, where I lead regional strategy and placemaking work focused on economic development, competitiveness, and long-term growth.My work sits at the intersection of economic development, quality of place, and regional alignment. I help cities, regions, and public-sector organizations move from fragmented efforts to shared strategies, bringing together government, business, higher education, and community stakeholders around a common vision and an executable plan.I played a central role in shaping the Blue Ridge Innovation Corridor (BRIC) as Virginia’s “fourth economic engine,” helping build the data-driven case for why cities and counties across Southwestern Virginia are stronger together. Today, I serve as the de facto Executive Director of BRIC, leading the 501(c)(3) organization advancing the megaregion. That work requires balancing politics, economics, identity, and implementation—skills I bring to every engagement.In addition to regional economic strategy, I oversee destination and tourism-related work as part of S.I.R.’s broader place-based economic development practice. I’ve supported communities, cities, and state agencies with market analysis, visitation studies, and long-range plans that strengthen local economies by enhancing how places function, compete, and grow.At the core of my work is a belief that successful regions are built intentionally through clear strategy, sustained collaboration, and disciplined execution.