Influential Woman · Staffing
Rachelle Bauer
Founder & Managing Partner, Workforce Connections (WBE); Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Veteran Connections (SDVOB/DOBE)
St. Louis, MO 63119
Her Story
About Rachelle
Rachelle Bauer is the Founder and Managing Partner of Workforce Connections, a women-owned staffing and recruiting firm based in Webster Groves, Missouri, and Co-Founder of Veteran Connections, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned and Disability-Owned staffing firm.
With more than 25 years of experience in the staffing industry, Rachelle has built her career around connecting talented professionals with meaningful opportunities and helping organizations solve complex workforce challenges. Before launching Workforce Connections in 2021, she held senior leadership roles in the staffing industry, where she helped drive significant organizational growth and gained extensive experience building successful teams, client partnerships, and workforce solutions.
Rachelle later co-founded Veteran Connections to expand career opportunities for veterans and help military professionals translate their experience into successful civilian careers. She also developed FleXWork, a flexible employment program designed to support mothers and other professionals seeking meaningful work that better aligns with their personal responsibilities and stage of life.
Her leadership philosophy is grounded in integrity, respect, authenticity, and a commitment to going above and beyond for clients, candidates, employees, and the communities her companies serve. She believes the strongest business relationships are built by treating people well, communicating honestly, and creating solutions that benefit everyone involved.
Rachelle holds a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and completed the Women’s Leadership Forum at Washington University in St. Louis’s Olin Business School in 2014, earning a certificate of completion. She also completed WeTHRIVE, WBENC’s executive education program for women-owned businesses. Rachelle’s community involvement reflects a long-standing commitment to veterans, families, and causes close to her heart. Workforce Connections is a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and she and her team support organizations including The VetWork, St. Louis Veteran's Ball and H.E.R.O.E.S. Care. In late 2025, the team organized a food drive for the Jefferson Barracks Military & Veterans Food Pantry and in early 2026, wrote letters for veterans participating in the Veterans Honor Flight of Southern Ilinois.
Earlier in her career, she served for nine years on the board of a United Way-supported childcare organization and for more than 20 years, she has supported the Shawn Harkness scholarship fund, a scholarship she established in her brother's memory nearly 20 years ago.
Her leadership, entrepreneurship, and community impact have earned recognition from several organizations. St. Louis Small Business Monthly named Workforce Connections a 2024 Future 50 company and recognized Rachelle among its 2024 Top 100 People to Know in St. Louis. In 2026, the publication also honored her as a Wonder Woman, and Profiles in Leadership Journal named her a Woman Worth Watching in Leadership.
Rachelle credits much of her success to the mentors, colleagues, friends, and family members who supported her entrepreneurial journey and challenged her to continue growing. Her advice to emerging leaders is to build genuine relationships, invest in their networks throughout every stage of their careers, and remain open to opportunities that create meaningful impact.
Rachelle remains committed to empowering people, strengthening communities, and creating pathways for others to succeed.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rachelle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to the people I have chosen to surround myself with throughout my career. Mentors, colleagues, trusted peers, friends, and family members have believed in me, challenged my thinking, offered honest feedback, and encouraged me to pursue opportunities I may not have considered on my own.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to expect that mistakes will happen and to view them as part of the process rather than proof that you are failing. There is rarely a perfect roadmap in business, especially when you are building something new.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to make networking a consistent part of their professional life, not just something they do when they need a job or an opportunity. Building genuine relationships, staying connected with others, and investing in your network over time can open doors and create opportunities throughout your career. The relationships you build are one of the most valuable assets you can develop.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is navigating the rapid growth of artificial intelligence. AI has the potential to transform the way we work, create new efficiencies, and open doors to opportunities we have not yet imagined. At the same time, it will change the workforce, requiring people and organizations to adapt as some roles evolve and entirely new careers emerge. Those who are willing to learn and embrace change will be best positioned for the future.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity and treating people with respect are the values that guide me most. I believe in treating others the way I would want to be treated and always putting people first. Whether in business or personal relationships, I strive to go above and beyond to support others, build trust, and do what is right even when it requires extra effort. People are always the most important part of any organization or community.
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