Meet Our Board: Spotlight – Rachel Bickham
As the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 10-Year Anniversary and a Decade of Impact, we are proud to spotlight the leaders helping guide the Chamber into its next decade.
Our Board of Directors plays a vital role in shaping the Chamber’s strategic direction, strengthening our mission, and ensuring that LGBTQ+ and allied businesses across Greater Houston have the support, advocacy, and opportunities they deserve.
We are honored to welcome Rachel Bickham, Founder and CEO of Bickham Services Unlimited, as one of our newest Board Members. Her leadership, lived experience, and passion for empowering others reflect the very heart of the Chamber’s work. We are grateful for her leadership, her perspective, and her commitment to strengthening our community.
We asked Rachel to share what it means to step into this role and to help our members and community get to know the person behind the leadership.
Getting to Know Rachel
Rachel’s decision to serve on the Chamber’s Board reflects both her professional mission and her personal commitment to community. As the Founder and CEO of Bickham Services Unlimited, Rachel brings more than two decades of leadership experience in workforce development, consulting, and business operations. For Rachel, leadership is grounded in service and connection.
What inspired you to say yes to serving on the Board of the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce?
Saying yes felt like a natural extension of the work I’ve already been doing. Building bridges between business, community, and opportunity. I believe deeply in the Chamber’s mission to create access, equity, and visibility for LGBTQ+ and allied businesses. Serving on the Board allows me to contribute strategically while helping shape a future where inclusion and economic empowerment go hand in hand.
Tell us a little about your professional background and what you’re most passionate about in your work.
I’m the Founder and CEO of Bickham Services Unlimited, a workforce solutions and consulting firm, but at my core, I’m someone who genuinely loves helping people move forward. My work is about opening doors, helping individuals find meaningful opportunities, and helping organizations build systems that truly support their people. I’ve seen firsthand how access to the right job, the right resources, or the right support can change someone’s life, and that’s what continues to drive everything I do.
What does “community leadership” mean to you?
To me, community leadership is rooted in care, consistency, and leading by example. It’s about showing up with integrity, listening with intention, and using your experiences to support and uplift others.
“True leadership isn’t about titles or recognition. It’s about service, trust, and creating space for people to feel seen, supported, and empowered.” |
Her Journey to the Chamber
Rachel’s connection to the Chamber began through her own journey as an LGBTQ+ business owner seeking certification and community. Her perspective underscores why the Chamber’s work is especially critical in this moment.
How did you first connect with the Chamber?
I first learned about the Chamber while going through the NGLCC LGBTBE® certification process. I had started my certification application back in 2021 after learning about it through the SBA, but at the time I was concerned about potential negative publicity and how being certified might impact the business as we were still navigating recovery from COVID.
When I decided to complete the process in 2023 and became certified, I was encouraged to connect with a local NGLCC Affiliate Chamber. After attending new member orientation and learning about the work the Chamber was doing, I knew I wanted to be part of a community that truly understood the experience of being queer in business and created space for connection, support, and growth.
Why do you believe the Chamber’s work is especially important in today’s economic and social climate?
In today’s climate, LGBTQ+ communities and minority-owned businesses are facing renewed challenges, including policies and rhetoric that directly threaten inclusion, certification programs, and access to opportunities. These attacks don’t just affect identity. They affect jobs, contracts, and the ability for businesses to grow and sustain themselves.
The Chamber’s work is critical in this moment because it provides advocacy, protection, and a collective voice, ensuring LGBTQ+ and allied businesses are not pushed out of economic spaces where they belong. That kind of support and leadership is more important now than ever.
What excites you most about being part of this organization right now?
This feels like an important moment for the Chamber. One where reflection and forward thinking are happening at the same time. I’m excited to be part of the conversations that help shape where the organization is headed and how it continues to serve its members in meaningful ways.
“Having a voice at the table and the opportunity to help influence the future of the Chamber is something I don’t take lightly.” |
Board Leadership and Impact
Rachel brings both professional expertise and deeply personal commitment to her Board service—along with a clear vision for strengthening opportunity, visibility, and support for LGBTQ+ and allied businesses.
What perspective, skills, or lived experience do you hope to bring to the Board?
I bring both personal and professional perspectives to the Board. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, and as someone with a son, family members, and many friends who are also part of the community, my advocacy is deeply personal.
Professionally, I bring over 20 years of experience in leadership, workforce development, and business operations, along with a strong background in building partnerships across corporate, government, and small business sectors. My hope is to use my voice, lived experience, and expertise to help strengthen engagement, expand opportunity, and support meaningful, inclusive progress for the Chamber and its members.
What issues or opportunities for the LGBTQ+ and Allied community are most important to you?
Safety, visibility, and access to opportunity are especially important to me right now. I care deeply about making sure LGBTQ+ and allied individuals and businesses feel seen, protected, and supported, not just in words, but through real action and advocacy. Creating pathways for businesses to grow, compete, and thrive isn’t just about economics. It’s about stability, dignity, and long-term change for individuals, families, and our broader community.
How do you hope your Board service will make a difference for members and the broader community?
I hope my Board service helps create an environment where members truly feel supported, protected, and connected. Not just in moments of success, but through challenges as well. I want to help ensure the Chamber continues to be a strong advocate for visibility, safety, and economic opportunity, while also providing practical resources that help businesses grow and sustain themselves. Most importantly, I hope my service contributes to a community where people feel seen, heard, and empowered to lead with confidence and authenticity.
Celebrating a Decade of Impact
Joining the Board during the Chamber’s milestone anniversary year makes Rachel’s leadership especially meaningful, as the organization reflects on its past and builds toward its next decade of impact.
The Chamber is celebrating its 10-Year Anniversary this year. What does this milestone mean to you personally?
This milestone means a great deal to me because it reflects years of intentional leadership, perseverance, and belief in what this Chamber could become. Tammi and her team have done a phenomenal job growing the Chamber into what it is today and creating real, lasting impact in the community. Especially in expanding visibility and opportunities for LGBTQ+ businesses. It’s inspiring to see the foundation that’s been built over the last ten years, and I’m genuinely excited to be part of the Chamber’s continued growth and future impact.
When you reflect on the last decade of progress for the Chamber, what stands out most?
Even though I’ve only been part of the Chamber for the past two years, its visibility and mission stand out more than ever. The Chamber consistently brings important issues facing our community and LGBTQ+ businesses to the forefront and, just as importantly, offers practical ways to address them.
Through meaningful networking, impactful keynote speakers, and strong advocacy at the local level, the Capitol in Austin, and in DC, the Chamber has created real opportunities and protections for our community. What stands out most is the safe, affirming space it has built where business owners can show up authentically, connect, and grow.
In one word, what do you hope defines the Chamber’s next decade?
Purpose
Looking Ahead
Rachel’s vision for the Chamber’s future reflects both optimism and intention.
As the Chamber enters its next decade, what excites you most about the future?
What excites me most is the possibility of building on an already strong foundation and continuing to grow with intention. There’s so much opportunity to expand programs, deepen partnerships, and reach even more people and businesses in meaningful ways. The future feels full of promise, and I’m excited to see how the Chamber continues to evolve and lead.
What do you hope the Chamber is known for ten years from now?
I hope the Chamber is known as a place where LGBTQ+ and allied businesses truly thrive. A space that goes beyond connection and creates real opportunities for growth, leadership, and long-term success. I want the Chamber to be recognized for leading with purpose, inclusion, and impact.
How can members, partners, and allies play a role in shaping what comes next?
By staying engaged, showing up for one another, and being willing to collaborate. The Chamber is strongest when its members and partners share ideas, resources, and support. When everyone leans in and works together, that’s when meaningful and lasting change happens.
Beyond the Board
Outside of her professional and Board leadership roles, Rachel is a proud mom, author, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses alum, and active community leader. She currently serves on the Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board and is deeply committed to service, advocacy, and personal growth.
When she’s not working, Rachel enjoys traveling, volunteering, practicing yoga and meditation, attending live music events, and spending time with her family and her dog, Major Blessing.
Her journey, leadership, and commitment embody the spirit of the Chamber’s mission—to build an economy where everyone belongs—and reflect the strength, purpose, and vision that will help guide the Chamber into its next decade.
Just For Fun…
What’s one fun fact people might not know about you?
I’m a fraternal twin and was born on Leap Day, which means I technically have a birthday every four years. I celebrate on both February 28th and March 1st because why should I have to choose? Haha! People always ask how old I am in leap years, and I get a kick out of telling them I’m younger than my son.
What’s one thing that instantly makes you feel at home in Houston?
The diversity. Houston truly feels like a place where there’s room for everyone, no matter who you are or what you’re into. It reminds me a lot of California, where I grew up, with its mix of cultures, communities, and stories. It really is a melting pot.
Houston native or got here as fast as you could?
A little of both. I was born in Houston but grew up in Louisiana and California before finding my way back in 2013. I was the last of my siblings to return, but once I did, Houston felt like home again, so I stayed.
What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
Most people assume I’m very extroverted, but I’m actually an ambivert. I love connecting with people, but I also need plenty of quiet time to recharge. Sometimes days or weeks at a time. An old coworker once called me a “hermit,” and honestly, I wear that title proudly.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Outside of my professional life, I’m a proud mom to one amazing adult son and a dog mom to my fur baby, Major Blessing, who keeps me on my toes. I deeply value spending time with family and friends.
I’m also an author, a proud Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses alum, and honored to serve on the Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board.
When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me volunteering, traveling, practicing yoga and meditation, nurturing my faith, enjoying live music and concerts, or cheering loudly for my San Francisco 49ers.
Thank You, Rachel!
Thank you, Rachel, for sharing your story, for your leadership and your passion for our important work of the Chamber.
As we celebrate a Decade of Impact, leaders like Rachel are helping shape the Chamber’s future—ensuring that LGBTQ+ and allied businesses continue to thrive and that our community continues to grow stronger in the years ahead.
