Rachel G. Cope
Rachel Cope is an accomplished subcontracts manager with extensive experience in the defense, space, and aerospace industries. She specializes in subcontract management, compliance, and process improvement, drawing on nearly a decade of leadership roles with organizations such as Dynetics, Boeing, and Integration Innovation, Inc. Her career has spanned critical areas of government contracting, including ITAR and EAR compliance, proposal management, and supplier strategy on multimillion-dollar programs. Rachel holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Master’s Certificate in Systems Engineering from MIT, and advanced training in project management from Villanova University.
Beyond her professional career, Rachel is deeply committed to service and advocacy. She helped found Children of the Father’s House, a nonprofit orphanage in Kampala, Uganda, providing food, shelter, education, and health services to children in need. Her passion for philanthropy is also rooted in personal experience—after losing her son Mateo ‘Tato’ to leukemia at age 3, Rachel has been actively involved in supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Huntsville Hospital St. Jude affiliate, and 4th and Gold, working to raise awareness and increase funding for pediatric cancer research through her organization ‘Tato’s Team.’ She organizes local toy drives, advocates for expanding bone marrow donor registries, and continues to champion causes that bring hope to families facing unimaginable challenges.
With her unique blend of professional expertise and personal dedication, Rachel exemplifies resilience, leadership, and service. Whether driving efficiency in government contracting or working to improve the lives of children and families, she is guided by a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to making a lasting impact.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University- B.S.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology- Master's
• Villanova University- Master's
• Export Compliance Training Institute
What do you attribute your success to?
My mother helped cultivate a strong work ethic in me. She told me to go for what I wanted, even if it is hard, and even when you want to give up. All you have to do is keep moving forward.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that mistakes can be fixed, but inaction cannot—so don’t be afraid to try and learn. I also learned that stepping away from management roles is sometimes the right choice when personal fulfillment matters more than titles.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering this industry to stay open to growth and change, knowing that it’s never too late to embrace a “second chapter” in your career when your priorities or sense of fulfillment evolve.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Like with most industries, Artificial Intelligence is opening doors to make subcontracting faster and more efficient than ever. The challenge is to make sure we are using it ethically and in ways that don’t compromise quality.