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Alumna named Tampa Bay Business Woman of the Year[10.26.2010]
TAMPA -- University of South Florida alumna Colleen Chappell was named the 2010 Business Woman of the Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Chappell, president and CEO of the advertising and marketing firm ChappellRoberts, also won the Business Services category.
"Just winning a category within the amazing pool of respectable women was amazing in itself," Chappell said.
Chappell was among 60 finalists on Aug. 20 during the black-tie event at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. There were originally more than 300 nominations for the categories.
Each year, the winner of the Business Woman of the Year category will receive a necklace in honor of the award.
For Chappell, this gift came full circle.
"It was ironic and emotional because I sold my jewelry to finish at USF," Chappell said.
Chappell's advice for current students is to embrace adversity. She said that none of this is easy and referred back to a moment when she was an undergrad.
"I worked all summer and my boss told me to change my major because I wouldn't make it in the field," Chappell said.
The Ybor-based firm clients includes Publix, Verizon and the Tampa Bay History Center.
-USF-
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