Katie Yount, left, ran for Fair Oaks Honorary Mayor in 2023 and won after raising more than $34,000. Rachel Griffith was her campaign manager that year. Photo by Michelle Massaro

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - The 2024 Best of Fair Oaks winners were recently announced at the ninth annual gala. Hosted by the Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce, the Jan. 16 event brought the community together for a night of fun and camaraderie as favorite businesses, organizations and individuals were recognized.

Fair Oaks Chamber CEO/President Kimberley Pitillo presented local Realtor Rachel Griffith with one of the night’s top honors: Businessperson of the Year. Griffith is a Realtor at Windermere Signature Properties on Madison Avenue in Fair Oaks.

“Rachel has been an integral part of the Fair Oaks chamber since joining in 2015,” said Pitillo in a heartfelt introduction. “She consistently demonstrates a passion for her work, commitment to her business and love for the chamber. Her selflessness, dedication, leadership and tireless efforts to give back have significantly impacted the community.”

Griffith is highly-respected by her colleagues, friends and those she has mentored and touched, according to Pitillo. Griffith’s desire to “pay it forward” shows in everything she does.

“Taking the time to invest in others always comes full circle,” Griffith said. “It’s through these individual connections we can make a bigger impact on the community as a whole.”

Rachel Griffith's Connections organization won Best 2024 Networking/Social Group in Fair Oaks. On the right, Griffith is shown with some members of the organization. Photo by Michelle Massaro

Connections Matter

In 2023, Griffith founded a networking group appropriately named Connections. Based in Fair Oaks, Connections began with a core team of 12 business professionals from different fields. Today, the group has grown to 21 members who meet twice monthly and host community mixers. 

The group hosted its second annual fundraiser in December at Martin’s Famous Street Tacos in Gold River. Ticketholders were invited to “Fill the Limo” with donated toys for a local nonprofit, Single Mom Strong. The event, which included a silent auction, raised more than $5,000 for Soroptimist of Citrus Heights. 

Recently, Connections was voted Best Networking/Social Group of Fair Oaks, an honor attributed to Griffith’s vision of “creating a space where business professionals could connect, collaborate, and support each other’s growth.”

Explained Griffith, “We are more than just a social group. Our community outreach events create opportunities for members to network, share leads and referrals and get to know the community. Success isn’t just about what we know but also the relationships we build.”

Changing Careers

Before getting her real estate license in 2020, Griffith owned Polkadot Dinners, a successful local catering company that provided private chef services for many clients, including Sacramento Kings players. She landed the Kings after meeting the team’s nutritionist at a culinary school event.

As COVID-19 ramped up, Griffith’s son and mother-in-law (both Realtors) encouraged her to get her real estate license as a backup. After 11 years in the catering business, Griffith knew a career change would require hard work, sacrifice and 100% commitment. 

“The only way to reinvent myself was to jump in with both feet and I did,” Griffith said.

It turned out to be a smart move. Griffith passed her real estate test right before the lockdown. She joined Windermere (formerly Lyon Real Estate) immediately after getting her license.

“Real estate gives me a platform to help people in meaningful ways,” Griffith said. “I like connecting people to their goals.”

Following every sale, Griffith donates a portion of her commission to Little League teams in honor of her father. 

“My dad had a big heart for baseball, particularly Little League,” Griffith said. “He never missed my children’s or brother’s games and always showed up with a glove in one hand.”

Ryan and Rachel Griffith have fun supporting Windermere Signature Properties colleague Carla Hart at a Fair Oaks event. Photo by Carla Hart

Chamber and Community

Griffith is passionate about the community and frequents many smaller events hosted by area chambers and community partners. She joined the Fair Oaks Chamber in 2015 while working in the catering business. A year later, she became the chamber’s Honorary Mayor after raising nearly $9,000 for Bella Vista High School’s Culinary Department to upgrade its kitchen equipment. 

Griffith has won numerous awards in her 10 years with the chamber and has held several leadership positions, including chamber president for two terms in 2020 and 2021. Griffith is currently a chamber board director and “deeply appreciates the support” she receives through the chamber.

Family Life

Griffith grew up in North Highlands and has two children, Morgan and Sarah, from a first marriage. In 2009, she moved to Fair Oaks and met her current husband, Ryan, who is also active with the chamber and shares her love for Fair Oaks. Ryan is a software developer and founder of VoterFly, an online voting app.

The couple enjoys entertaining and celebrating special occasions with their large family, where Griffith can cook for everyone. She is a ferocious reader and started a book club last year. Griffith also loves to write poetry and short stories.

When asked how she finds the time to do everything, Griffith responded, “I’ve learned to rely on help a lot. Ryan and I support each other in every venture. I could never do everything without leaning on others for help.”