Founder of The Ultimate U
Expert in Community Psychology & Sustainable City Development

Rebecca Hillegeist is not just a visionary—she’s a catalyst for transformation. With a deep understanding of human nature, community psychology, and interconnected systems, she is on a mission to build self-sustaining communities that nurture individuals, businesses, and entire cities.

Her work at The Ultimate U is centered around creating environments where people thrive, connecting the right individuals to drive impactful change. Rebecca’s goal? To redefine the live, work, play model and scale it across the U.S. and beyond.

A Vision for Sustainable Communities

Rebecca’s passion for integrated systems and human connection started early in her career when she worked alongside a successful businessman.

“He groomed me in such a way that I could see how all of his businesses could interact and become self-sustaining,” she shares. “That realization sparked an obsession: what if we could do the same thing—but at the city level?”

This drove Rebecca to study the inner workings of human behavior and the barriers holding societies back from evolution. Her lifelong vision is to create self-sustaining communities where people, businesses, and resources are interconnected in ways that drive both prosperity and well-being.

The Challenges and Rewards of Thinking Ahead

Rebecca has always been told she’s “ahead of her time.” As a visionary, this is a gift—but it also comes with its own challenges.

“Living a normal daily life presents difficulties when your mind is operating on a different timeline than the world around you,” she explains. “I had to learn the art of patience—to hold onto my vision without getting discouraged or distracted.”

However, the most rewarding part of her work is seeing that vision take shape—watching people, businesses, and communities connect, grow, and thrive together.

Rebecca’s Advice for Women: Put Yourself First

Rebecca emphasizes that self-care is the foundation of creation.

“Put yourself first—always, in all ways. When your energy is drained by people, places, or things that don’t align with your purpose, your vision cannot be born,” she says.

She likens a vision to a baby—it must be nurtured, protected, and developed in a healthy environment.

“You must become the person who can bring your vision to life. If you don’t, your creation will fall apart—leading to doubt, confusion, and self-sabotage for you and those around you.”

The Ultimate U: Creating Cities of the Future

Rebecca’s long-term mission is bold:

🌍 To create a proof-of-concept for a self-sustaining city—a model that seamlessly integrates living, working, and playing into a thriving ecosystem.
🌍 To expand The Ultimate U throughout the United States—and eventually across the globe.
🌍 To empower communities to evolve beyond outdated structures and embrace sustainable, interconnected living.

“The right systems, the right people, and the right mindset can create a radically different future,” she says. “The Ultimate U is just the beginning.”

The Power of Women in Community Transformation

Though she’s still new to the International Association of Women (IAW), Rebecca joined with a clear purpose:

💡 To enliven and connect women within the network.
💡 To help women discover their gifts, talents, and purpose.
💡 To support sisterhood and healing—because when women thrive, communities thrive.

“I truly believe that if we heal, support, and empower women, we will transform communities—and ultimately heal our planet from perpetual trauma.”

Her advice for new IAW members? “Dive in and get connected. You are in good hands.”

A Life-Changing Lesson: Breaking Free to Become Who You Are

Rebecca credits Donald E. Panoz as one of the most influential figures in her journey.

“He showed me that I didn’t have to be my family, my religion, or my culture,” she shares. “I could be whoever I wanted to be.”

That realization led her to embark on a journey of learning, unlearning, and relearning—a process that began in 1997 and continues to shape her life and mission today.

Connect with Rebecca Hillegeist

If you’re interested in sustainable community building, human psychology, or transformational leadership, connect with Rebecca here:

📍 Facebook: Rebecca Hillegeist
📍 LinkedIn: Rebecca Hillegeist
📍 Instagram: @RebeccaDHillegeist