An Inspired Chat with Rachael DeRossi of Montrose

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Rachael DeRossi. Check out our conversation below.

Rachael, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I take a minute (or ten) to actually wake up after my alarm goes off. I scroll the news in bed, then get up, take my vitamins, lay out the kids’ vitamins, and feed the cats before they stage a coup. I meditate for about 30 minutes to get my head on straight, then shift into mom mode: making breakfast, getting everyone out the door, and heading to the gym. By 9-ish, I’m at my desk and officially in work mode. Prioritizing a quiet, structured start allows me to show up to work grounded so I can lead with clarity and kind accountability the rest of the day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Rachael DeRossi is the CEO and co-founder of The Marketing Department, a full-service marketing and branding agency in Montrose, Colorado. She is a dynamic leader focused on building an on-purpose culture that nurtures authentic connection and sparks innovation and growth.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Shane, one of my former managers, gave me my first lesson in accountability. In my first interaction with him, I was two minutes late to my interview, and he called me on it. I gave a straightforward answer, not a flimsy excuse, and that ended up being part of why they hired me. That moment stuck with me, and Shane’s views on culture shaped the leader I am today.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
If I had never worked in jobs with a lacking (at best) or toxic (at worst) culture, I wouldn’t feel so strongly about creating a company where people feel safe, valued, and committed to elevating consciousness and communication through our cultural tools. I’ve been in roles that offered zero growth. I’ve seen solid companies get acquired and watched the culture crumble. Those experiences shaped The Marketing Dept. ‘s mission: we create opportunities for our clients, employees, and community.

The worst workplaces I experienced lacked candor, vulnerability, and accountability. I learned that when people are afraid to be direct or to admit when they’ve made a mistake, it creates drama, fear, and, worst of all, complacency. I want my people to feel safe to say, “I don’t know,” or, “I made a mistake,” or “this work could be better,” because that’s how we are going to get stronger.

I intentionally founded The Marketing Dept. to be the antithesis of those places. We are intentionally building the organization in a way that values self-awareness, authentic connection, and understanding the impact we have on others. This ideology fosters a workplace where people feel safe to take risks, and hard conversations can help us grow.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I believe in kind accountability. It’s a core principle behind how The Marketing Dept. operates. Kind accountability is authentic communication rooted in love, not fear. It’s being direct, but not unkind. It’s about leading with empathy and leaning into hard truths.
Occasionally, kind accountability comes up in the biggest moments, say, letting someone go, but more often it’s in the everyday conversations, the quick course corrections, the “hey, let’s talk about this before it turns into drama.” In our organization, kind accountability doesn’t just come from the top down. Anyone on the team has full permission to call it like they see it, no matter their position. It’s how we continue to grow, together.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What false labels are you still carrying?
I’m a candid, data-driven woman who says what’s true, even when it makes other people uncomfortable. I’ve been called a few choice names for it, but let’s be honest, that usually says more about their insecurities than my delivery.

I don’t want to work in an environment where comfort gets confused with safety. I’ve experienced workplaces where leaders try to sugarcoat messages, and it creates even more drama. At The Marketing Dept., there is an expectation that all team members speak truthfully and kindly. In my book, it’s the only way to build trust and fuel progress.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://themarketingdeptco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarketingdeptcolorado/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachaelderossi/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@themarketingdept.colorado

Image Credits
Black dress: Stephanie Carlton
Others: Jayna Rosentreter