Office of the President Staff
Andrea Stearly brings nearly 20 years of higher education event planning experience to the Office of the President. She joined Butler University in 2014, and in her current position as the Executive Director of Presidential Events, she oversees the strategic planning and execution of high-profile campus events. From supporting the intimate gatherings hosted at
the President’s residence, to student-focused engagements, to the culmination of the University’s Commencement Ceremony each year, she enjoys collaborating with university leadership and ensuring the success of each and every event. Before
calling the Midwest home, she gained a wealth of experience from her previous roles at Harvard and Princeton. Andrea received her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from The College of New Jersey, and holds an MS in Corporate Public Relations from Boston University. In her free time, she enjoys creating memorable moments with her family as they travel the country in their camper with their three dogs.
Rachel Richard believes in leaving people better than she found them — whether she’s coordinating the day-to-day heartbeat of a university president’s office, championing thriving teams behind the scenes, or swapping stories about life’s chaos over coffee.
With experience spanning nonprofits, higher education, creative industries, and small business ownership, Rachel brings a unique mix of organizational savvy, people-first strategy, and an eye for the big picture and the tiny details. Before joining Butler University’s Office of the President, she most recently led People & Culture at a creative manufacturing company and ran her own boutique wedding photography business for 10 years — capturing genuine moments and building trust one frame at a time.
Rachel is an experienced HR professional with a strong track record in strategic planning, compliance, talent acquisition, and data-driven decision-making — but what she’s proudest of is fostering trust, building strong teams, and creating workplaces people actually enjoy showing up to.
When she’s not ensuring smooth operations and healthy cultures, you’ll find her exploring good food, hunting for vintage cameras, or catching up on life’s next adventure with her husband, their college-aged kids, and their beloved dog — all of whom keep her grounded and remind her not to take life too seriously.
Curious to know more? Come along on her writing journey, where she shares honest reflections about life, work, parenting, marriage, and everything in between. She’s always up for conversations about leadership, work culture, and leaving people & places better than we found them.
