The University of South Florida’s Women in Leadership & Philanthropy (WLP) held its 17th annual fall symposium in October. The event celebrated College of Arts and Sciences alumna, Colleen Chappell, as the recipient of the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Colleen Chappell (right) posing for a photo with symposium attendee (middle). (Photo courtesy of John Tipton & Mridula Singh)
Over the last 16 years, the WLP organization has been dedicated to creating a positive impact in the lives of women within the USF community and beyond. Their annual symposium serves as an opportunity to honor visionary leaders and philanthropists who are making a difference, leading by example, and motivating others.
WLP acknowledged Chappell as the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her lifelong commitment to the advertising field and her efforts to improve the community and foster the growth of fellow women.
Chappell, a first-generation college graduate, completed her mass communications degree at USF in 1988. Despite self-funding her education, there was a time when she still had $500 left to pay but found she didn’t have enough money. However, a generous donor came forward in her time of need and covered the bill. This act of kindness serves as motivation for Chappell to make a difference in other people's lives, both personally and professionally.
Chappell became the successor to her advertising mentor Diane Roberts’ business and transformed it into one of the Southeast’s most successful ad agencies, now known as ChappellRoberts.
Through this success, ChappellRoberts has been able to provide over $1 million dollars in pro-bono work, extending support to local nonprofits such as Feeding Tampa Bay, SPCA of Pinellas, and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.
In addition to the business’s accomplishments, Chappell has also been recognized for this award through her volunteer service with the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Council, American Marketing Association Bay, and Leadership Tampa.
Colleen Chappell (right) with Community Leadership awardee, Clara Reynolds (left). (Photo courtesy of John Tipton & Mridula Singh)
During her acceptance speech, Chappell shared her advice to fellow women and students of the community.
“I created a mantra a long time ago that I live by today, and it's very simple: if you want to be more, do more. When you reach your goal, remember, that the work has just started because it's time to do more, more giving back, more mentoring, more supporting, more hearing, more helping, and more encouraging. That’s where we all can make a difference,” Chappell said.
The WLP also recognized Clara Reynolds as the recipient of the Community Leadership Award and included Kendra Scott as the featured guest speaker.
Visit the USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy website to learn more about their initiatives.