Jessica Rine

“Being a part of a group of local, like-minded people that want to enhance their community is my playground,” says Jessica Rine, executive director at United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley.

As a young girl, Rine’s playground looked like neighborhood kickball games, street hockey and building snowmen in Wheeling, WV, while also taking on the role of neighborhood babysitter. This meaningful and influential role allowed her to watch families navigate blue-collar careers and small business operations as well as traditional wealth and poverty.

After college, Rine worked a few office jobs and then worked her way up from a part-time position to the promotions manager at WTRF-TV. She was impassioned by the responsibilities of this position, which included building relationships with nonprofits and helping to promote their special events and missions.

“I remember thinking if I could do this as a career, I would be happy going to work every day,” says Rine. “Early in my career, I had a boss who encouraged community involvement, and he asked me to serve on the United Way’s marketing committee. I loved working on the special events and the networking that came along with volunteering. Fast-forward and today I’m running the organization where I had my first volunteer stint.”

In 2017, Rine accepted a position at United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley. Through her position, she is able to support 30 different programs to take on some of the fiercest needs in the region.

“I genuinely enjoy meeting new people, seeing what we have in common, hearing their stories and finding out how I can be a part of them,” she says. “Whether that’s through community involvement or connecting our networks personally or professionally, I thrive off of networking and communication.”

As with many professionals, Rine has a lot on her plate.

“Being very involved in the lives of my three children, having a big career and being active in the community is a ton to juggle,” she says. “I’ve learned that giving myself grace and focusing on self-care is vital to my mental well-being and my personal and professional growth.”

Rine’s networking with nonprofits through United Way is not the only area in which her love for developing a better community shines. She currently serves on the board of directors for Regional Economic Development Partnership, WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Valley Oil & Gas Association. Along with these, she serves as a committee member of WVU Medicine Children’s Wheeling Gala and Mountaineer Brewfest and as an alumni committee member for West Liberty University. Furthermore, Rine is also a trustee of the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, the secretary and quality control committee chair at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital and a Rotarian with the St. Clairsville Rotary.

In 2019, Rine’s focus on bettering her community led to her graduating from Leadership West Virginia, a program that cultivates and mobilizes leaders in the state.

“Leadership West Virginia gave me a great excuse to truly experience West Virginia and gain pride in our state’s tourism,” she says. “I also learned about vital companies in our state that impact the whole world alongside some incredibly influential West Virginians.”

It is obvious that Rine has continued to fall in love with all that The Mountain State has to offer—both the lovely landscape and the charming community. Her devotion to West Virginia radiates in all she does.

“The community of the Ohio Valley is what keeps me motivated. This is where I grew up and where I’m raising my kids,” she says. “I genuinely want the best for everyone here, and I’m honored to have the platform to help.”