Raylene Appleby
Raylene Appleby has built a career and a life centered on creating opportunity for others, particularly women seeking education, independence, and professional growth. Shaped by both hard work and encouragement from her entrepreneurial grandmother, Raylene learned early that confidence and determination could open doors. Those lessons guided her through a successful career in banking and insurance, where she became one of Missouri’s first women in risk management before eventually becoming the majority owner of an insurance company.
Today, Raylene continues to champion education and empowerment through her leadership and philanthropy at Ozarks Tech. As a member of the Ozarks Tech Foundation Board, she is passionate about helping students overcome barriers to higher education and achieve long-term financial stability and personal success.
Her support is rooted in the belief that education changes lives. Recognizing that many women face unequal access to opportunity, Raylene partnered with her longtime friend Dr. Nancy O’Reilly and Women Connect4Good to establish the Women Connect4Good/Suit Yourself Endowed Scholarship at Ozarks Tech. What began as a grassroots effort to engage women in supporting other women quickly grew into a lasting scholarship fund dedicated to helping women pursue their educational goals.
Raylene also established the Theodore “Ted” Andrews Memorial Scholarship in honor of her former colleague, whose life was defined by service and commitment to the community. In addition, she has been a longtime supporter of the Ozarks Tech Foundation Golf Tournament, helping raise scholarship funds for students across the region. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to lifting others through education, encouragement, and community support.
Impact
Raylene Appleby’s philanthropy at Ozarks Tech focuses on empowering students, especially women, through education and opportunity. Through the Women Connect4Good/Suit Yourself Endowed Scholarship, she has helped create financial support for women pursuing college and career advancement. Her continued outreach and leadership helped grow the scholarship fund significantly, with a long-term vision of expanding its impact for future generations.
Through the Theodore “Ted” Andrews Memorial Scholarship, Raylene also honors the legacy of a respected colleague while creating opportunities for students to pursue their educational goals. Her support reflects a belief that scholarships can create lasting change not only for students, but also for their families and communities.
In addition to her work at Ozarks Tech, Raylene co-founded Suit Yourself Boutique, an organization that provides professional clothing and confidence-building support for women entering the workforce. Together, her philanthropic efforts demonstrate a strong commitment to helping others gain the tools, education, and encouragement needed to succeed.