Raquel Cobb
VP, Marketing & Communications Director
Coastal States Bank, Atlanta, GA
Member, GBA Marketing Committee
Published Nov. 20, 2025
Q: What was your first job, and is there a lesson you learned there that you still use today?
A: My first job was a work-study position in the communications office at my local school system. I was probably a junior in high school at the time and continued through my senior year. I also came back during the summers in college to serve as a communications intern. The communications director became my first real mentor.
There were several lessons I learned in that role that still serve as the foundation of what I do today. First, I learned the importance of tailoring your message to your audience. In a school system, communications are focused on parents, teachers, staff and the community at large, so every message needed to be framed differently.
Second, I learned the importance of telling your brand story. Sharing what’s happening helps people understand the mission and the impact of the work being done, and that’s something I still do today through various channels as a bank marketing professional.
The third lesson was about overall work ethic. Having an internship in a professional setting taught me how to present myself, understand the value of my role within an organization and recognize that my contributions matter to the larger mission. From that point on, I made it a priority to show up consistently, professionally and to give my best work.
Q: What was the most useful piece of advice you received from a mentor?
A: I can’t point to one single piece of advice, but I can say that modeled behavior from my early mentors had a big impact. My first supervisor in the communications office and later another supervisor/mentor in college both invested time in me, guided me and exposed me to opportunities in my field. Their willingness to share what they knew motivated me to do the same for others.
Now, whether it’s mentoring someone directly, volunteering or offering advice to family and friends as they grow their businesses, I make it a point to pass along what I’ve learned. I don’t hesitate to share knowledge because I know how much it helped me when others did the same.
Q: Tell us about one experience that exemplifies being a banker or your role at the bank.
A: My role is to support our bankers in getting our brand and brand story out into our communities. A great example of that was last year when we celebrated our 20th anniversary. I led a project to produce a video at our first branch location on Hilton Head Island featuring five of our original bankers who are still with CSB 20 years later. They shared what it was like opening the bank in 2004 and reflected on how far we’ve come since then.
The video was well received in our Lowcountry markets in South Carolina, but I later heard from one of our Atlanta bankers who shared with me it had made an impact there as well. Her email said:
“I wanted to let you know that I brought in a new client today. She came to us after watching the video of our 20-year veteran employees. She said, ‘It was so moving. It made me want to be part of the family.’ So… KUDOS to you!”
That experience reinforced how powerful storytelling can be and how it can connect with people far beyond what you might expect.
Q: What would someone be surprised to learn about you?
A: I enjoy reading thrillers and mysteries and watching documentaries. I also like to be outdoors whether gardening, playing tennis or going for walks.
Q: First tap/click of the day?
A: Messages
Q: Podcast you recommend?
A: Hidden Brain
Q: Book that has made an impact?
A: Author vs. Editor by Brandon Smith
Q: Pet peeve?
A: When people call me Rachel 😊
Q: Most used apps?
A: Instagram, Apple Podcasts and Apple Music.
Q: TV show or series you love?
A: 90 Day Fiancé