Established on 12.08.2022 by Rachel C. Hollstadt

Rachel (Nelson) Hollstadt grew up near Hawley, MN. An English major at Concordia, she graduated in 1970 and went on to teach English in Pine City and Hastings, MN. Rachel returned to the classroom to learn programming and spent a decade as a computer programmer before transitioning to consulting work. In 1990, she accidentally started a consulting firm specializing in program/project management and business analysis. Under her leadership, Hollstadt and Associates earned awards for quality, philanthropy, and fast growth including the Minnesota Business Ethics Award, Jefferson Award for corporate philanthropy, and multiple Fast 50 awards. For the success of her company and networking opportunities she provided for executive women, Hollstadt was honored with the Minneapolis St. Paul Women in Business Career Achievement Award.

Her board service has included the Minneapolis YWCA, Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota and 360 Communities. She has served Concordia as a founding member of the Offutt School of Business Global Leadership Council, member of the Board of Regents, co-chair of the historic RISE Campaign, and mentor to female students in the Offutt School.

For her pioneering work in project management and business development, her dedication to women in leadership, and for founding an award-winning firm where “doing the right thing” was always more important than profit, Rachel received Concordia’s highest honor, the Alumni Achievement Award, in 2020.

During her teaching years, Rachel married Dennis Hollstadt, a father of four young girls. She felt lucky to join this family which now includes six fantastic grandchildren. After 39 years of marriage, Dennis died in 2013. Rachel subsequently met Bert Black with whom she shares a whole new life of adventure.

The Rachel C. Hollstadt ’70 Business Endowed Scholarship is awarded by the Office of Financial Aid to one or more students of any class majoring in any of the Offutt School of Business educational programs.