Rachael Marie West
Financial Advisor
Professional
Rachael began her career in the financial services industry through the Northwestern Mutual Cranberry Internship program in the Fall of 2016. During the internship, she was the leading intern throughout the Pittsburgh region while achieving her bachelor’s degree in Finance and a minor in Entrepreneurship at The Pennsylvania State University's Smeal College of Business. Throughout her college education, Rachael was a Deans List recipient each semester.
After graduation, Rachael continues to build a highly recognizable practice at a full-time level. Rachael's multi-state practice impacts many individuals and continues to grow at a rapid pace. Rachael achieved Northwestern Mutual’s 100 Lives Award in her first calendar year of business, which very few new Financial Representatives qualify for.
In 2021, Rachael's financial planning team grew into a family practice with the addition of her husband, Chris West. In that same year, Rachael became a member of the Million Dollar Round Table. This consistent impact demonstrates a seasoned and experienced Financial Advisor.
In the 2022-2023 Award Year, Rachael was awarded a One Star Pathfinder Award, which symbolizes a balanced practice between insurance and investment.
Education
- The Pennsylvania State University - Smeal College of Business, Finance (Bachelor of Science - Major)
- The Pennsylvania State University - Smeal College of Business, Entrepreneurship (Bachelor of Science - Minor)
Personal
Rachael grew up in Beaver County Pennsylvania, where she attended New Brighton Area High School. Rachael was heavily involved in her community through programs such as: Highway Clean-ups, Student Council, Outstanding Young Women, Competitive Dance, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Math 24, Academic games, and Mr. New Brighton Talent Show Director.
During her time at Penn State, Rachael was passionate about being a highly active member in the THON organization and the Women in Business program. Rachael is sensitive to her client’s specific needs and understands that each individual client situation requires tailored recommendations.
Rachael currently resides in Cranberry Township with her husband Chris. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, running, swimming, binge watching Netflix, and yoga.
Rachael strives to meet and impact as many individuals as possible to ensure that they will have a better financial future. Her mission has been rooted in her personal life experience with two disabled parents. Rachael's father was paralyzed in a hunting accident when she was at a very young age, and her mother was diagnosed with Lupus. Based on this experience, Rachael will do everything in her power to make sure no other family has to experience financial hardships during these unfortunate times. With a bulletproof financial plan, she assures that her clients will achieve their goals through anything that may happen to them in their lifetime.
Lending a hand in my community.
As part of Northwestern Mutual, I'm proud to help accelerate the search for better childhood cancer treatments while supporting families undergoing treatment, and survivors from late effects. Here are some of the organizations we partner with:
Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon
"THON is a student run philanthropy committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer. Our mission is to provide emotional and financial support, spread, awareness, and ensure funding for critical research - all in pursuit of a cure."
The Woodlands
"The Woodlands signature programs, expert staff and adapted facilities are all designed around our mission to enrich the quality of life for individuals and families navigating the journey of disability and chronic illness. We also collaborate with other nonprofits serving individuals with special needs to deepen our offerings and expand resources available to participants and caregivers"
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF)
ALSF funds cancer research, raises awareness, and supports the families of children with cancer. Since 2012, Northwestern Mutual, its employees, and financial professionals like me have donated more than $20 million to support ALSF and fund over 400,000 research hours.
Here are my areas of expertise
Financial Planning
Business Planning
Business Employee & Executive Benefits Planning
Business Planning & Succession
Insurance Protection Strategies
Life Insurance Strategies
Retirement Planning & Income Strategies
Disability Planning
How Northwestern Mutual helps you live the life you want.
When people feel better about their money, good things happen—they become more confident and feel more secure. For more than 160 years, Northwestern Mutual has helped people achieve the financial flexibility they need to live more and worry less.
Being a mutual company means Northwestern Mutual reports to its clients, not Wall Street. They don't believe in chasing fads or taking undue risk for short-term gains. Instead, they take a long-term approach—both in the way we help people plan to reach their goals, and in the way they do business. This has served their clients (and mine) well through all kinds of economic ups and downs, including wars, recessions, even the recent pandemic.
It's why I'm happy to be part of a company that's in it for the long-haul and prioritizes clients over profit.
