BOARD: Avril Stinson

Avril Stinson is a member of the Tampa Bay Chamber’s executive team, leading a diverse portfolio of programs under Economic Inclusion and Leadership Development. With deep expertise in investor/sponsor relations and program management, Avril brings years of business and community engagement experience to the Chamber. Under her leadership, the Minority Business Accelerator earned global recognition as a finalist in the 2023 World Chambers Congress Innovation Competition. In 2024, she successfully secured a $1-million TD Ready Challenge grant to support second-stage growth and sustainability for underserved businesses in the Tampa Bay region.

In addition to her work in economic inclusion, Avril oversees Leadership Tampa, Emerging Leaders of Tampa Bay, Collegiate Leadership, and the Leadership Tampa Alumni association—signature professional and leadership development programs unique to the Tampa Bay Chamber.

Before stepping into her current role, Avril served as Senior Director of the Minority Business Accelerator & Economic Inclusion and is a proud graduate of the Leadership Tampa Class of 2023. She is currently completing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management Program at the University of Georgia.

Avril has a proven track record of developing strategic programs, impactful partnerships, and professional development models that advance both organizations and individuals. Prior to joining the Chamber in 2019, she held key leadership roles in the Tampa Bay business community, including Director of Development at Tampa Bay Wave and Director of Investor Relations at the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Business Development Corporation (FBDC), a nonprofit Certified Development Company that promotes economic development and job creation by providing SBA 504 financing and other strategic lending tools to small businesses across Florida and the Southeast region.

Avril’s civic and professional leadership has been widely recognized. She is the 2025 recipient of the Ike Tribble Civic Leadership Award, presented by the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs (T.O.B.A.). She was named Businesswoman of the Year in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion by Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Magazine (2023), received the Passing-the-Torch Leadership Award in Public Policy/Community Activism from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. – Tampa Bay Chapter (2023), and was honored as a Businesswoman of the Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal (2022).

A South Florida native, Avril moved to Tampa 22 years ago. She holds a B.A. in Public Relations from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in Counseling from Marshall University. She actively volunteers her time and talent with several community organizations, including her 2024 seat on the Board of Directors for Friends of the Children