Communications Director – M.A.C
Raechelle T. Forrest
San Francisco Bay Area
Strategic communications executive, multi-platform administrator, and multimedia storyteller with 10+ years of experience serving one of the Bay Area’s largest school districts, 20+ years serving in the communications field, and a lifelong commitment to community, faith, and public service.
20+
Years in communications and media
24K+
Students served across 54 school sites
3
Districtwide website redesigns led
RECOGNITION
Awards & Honors
Administrator of the Year
Richmond Association of School Administrators (RASA) | 2024-25 School Year
National 40 Under 40 Achievement Award
Church of God in Christ (COGIC) – Largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States
Award of Merit for Special Events
California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA)
SELECTED WORK
Portfolio Highlights
A selection of initiatives, campaigns, and programs led across more than a decade of communications leadership.
In memory of Betty Reid Soskin, 1921-2025
It was an honor to support the awareness and celebrations of Ms. Betty’s life from her 100th birthday in 2021 through her final birthday celebration in September 2025. She passed peacefully in December 2025 at the age of 104.
National Media
Michelle Obama School renaming
Led communications, media relations, event support, scripting and video production for the district’s first virtual grand opening celebration. Covered nationally by CNN, the Associated Press, and The Hill
National Media
Betty Reid Soskin School renaming
Supported media relations, awareness, and event planning for the ribbon cutting and annual birthday celebrations 2021-2025. Covered by ABC, NBC, CBS, KTVU, KQED, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.
COVID-19 Response
Virtual School/Virtual Backpack
Helped build the district’s first virtual school hub during the COVID-19 pandemic, connecting students and families to learning portals, daily meal locations, vaccine drive information, and essential resources.
Annual Tradition
Virtual graduation ceremonies & livestreams
Supported the launch of the virtual drive-through graduation ceremonies during the COVID-19 pandemic that became a beloved district tradition, now averaging 15,000+ views per year expanding access for families celebrating graduating seniors.
Student Media
KECG Radio Station 97.7 & 88.1 FM
After a severe power outage that led to the long hiatus of a community-beloved student radio station, leaving the community with restoration uncertainty for the stations future, I successfully led the restart of the district’s radio station, providing ongoing music programming and creating oppotunities for students to contribute original programs and commercials.
Web & Digital
Districtwide website migrations
Directed three full districtwide website redesigns–from Schoolwires to Blackboard to Finalsite– across 56 school sites, including governance, ADA compliance, and staff training.
CAREER JOURNEY
Experience
2024 – Present
Communications Director
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Chief communications executive and district spokesperson. Advises superintendent and executive cabinet. Directs crisis communications, media relations, platform administration, and department operations
Nov 2023 – Jun 2024
Interim Communications Director
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Assumed full director responsibilities during leadership transition while steering major communications initiatives and the superintendent search process.
Jan 2021 – Nov 2023
Communications Manager
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Led districtwide communications strategy, platform administration, and team operations. Directed media relations for the Betty Reid Soskin Middle School renaming and celebrations.
Apr 2015 – Jan 2021
Coordinator, Electronic Communications
West Contra Costa Unified School District
Led website redesigns, created the Virtual Backpack, launched graduation livestreams, and supported the Michelle Obama School renaming that earned national media coverage.
2010 – 2014
Social Media Marketing & AM Producer
Baybridge Communications / KDIA & KDYA Radio
Managed digital presence, produced commercials and audio content, and coordinated the annual community concert featuring local and nationally known recording artists.
PRESS COVERAGE
In the News
Michelle Obama School Renaming – 2020
| CNN | California elementary school to be named after Michelle Obama | 2020 |
| Associated Press | Michelle Obama school renaming and virtual grand opening | 2020 |
| The Hill | California school to be named after Michelle Obama | 2020 |
Betty Reid Soskin Middle School Renaming & Annual Celebrations 2021-2025
| ABC News | Betty Reid Soskin, 100, honored as nation’s oldest park ranger | 2021 |
| NBC Bay Area | East Bay district names school after Betty Reid Soskin on her 100th birthday | 2021 |
| CBS News | Nation’s oldest park ranger retires at 100; school renamed in her honor | 2021 |
| KTVU Fox 2 | California middle school named for nation’s oldest living park ranger | 2021 |
| KQED | East Bay middle school renamed for pioneering park ranger Betty Reid Soskin | 2021 |
| New York Times | Coverage of Soskin’s 100th birthday milestone | 2021 |
| Washington Post | Coverage of Soskin’s 100th birthday milestone | 2021 |
SKILLS
Core Competencies
Communications
Strategic Communications
Crisis & emergency response
Media Relations & PR
Executive communications
Copywriting & editing
Community Engagement
Platform Administration
ParentSquare (database-level)
Finalsite / Schoolwires / Blackboard
PowerSchool data integration
User provisioning & permissions
Vendor management
ADA compliance
Multimedia
Radio broadcasting & production
Voice-over talent
Video production & live-streaming
Adobe Photoshop & InDesign
Canva & Final Cut Pro
Social media management
Leadership
Staff supervision & development
Event & project management
Budget & vendor oversight
Cross-department collaboration
Districtwide training
Analytics & reporting
BEYOND THE TITLE
Core Competencies
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Delta Academy mentor for girls ages 11-14, guiding social skills and community service since 2010. Former Co-Chair of Technology & Publicity for the Contra Costa Alumnae Chapter.
Forrest &Associates, Inc.
Marketing and event coordinator for annual food, clothing, and backpack giveaways serving Northern California communities since 2002.
Faith and Church Leadership
Active in church media, events, and community outreach. Recognized by the Church of God in Christ, the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States, with a National 40 Under 40 Achievement Award
First Steps Group Home
Tutored and mentored boys ages 11-17 in mathematics and social development from 2008-2010.
Raechelle T. Forrest 