Avril Stinson is part of the Tampa Bay Chamber’s executive team, overseeing various programming under Economic Inclusion and Leadership Development. Seasoned 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, named a finalist in the World Chambers Congress Innovation Competition in 2023. In addition to programming specializing in economic inclusion, Avril overseas Leadership Tampa, Emerging Leaders, Collegiate Leadership and the Leadership Tampa Alumni association – all professional & leadership development programs that are unique to the Tampa Bay Chamber.

Prior to her current role as Vice President, Avril served as the Senior Director of the Minority Business Accelerator & Economic Inclusion at the Chamber and graduated from the Leadership Tampa Class of 2023. She is currently in the process of completing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management Program at the University of Georgia.

Avril has a history of developing strategic programming, partnerships and professional development models that advance organizations and individuals. Prior to joining the Chamber in 2019, Avril held various leadership roles in the Tampa Bay region’s business community, including Director of Development at Tampa Bay Wave, and Director of Investor Relations at the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council.

Most recently, Avril was named Businesswoman of the Year in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion by Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Magazine (2023); awarded the Passing-the-Torch Leadership Award in Public Policy/Community Activism by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. – Tampa Area Chapter (2023), and a Businesswoman of the Year Honoree by the Tampa Bay Business Journal (2022).

A South Florida native, Avril moved to Tampa 20 years ago. She holds a B.A. in Public Relations from the University of Florida and a master’s degree from Marshall University in Counseling. She has volunteered her time and talents with several community organizations, including her 2024 seat on the Board of Directors of Friends of the Children- Tampa Bay, a non-profit serving underserved communities with its long-term professional mentoring program. Avril has also held leadership roles at the Junior League of Tampa Bay, serving on its Marketing and Diversity committees; was a founding member of the Synapse Impact Board’s Inclusion Lives Here Committee.

Currently, Avril serves on the Advisory Boards of the University of South Florida’s prestigious Black Leadership Network mentoring students, and the Florida Business Development Corporation Board of Directors. Her love of the arts led Avril to join Hillsborough Community College’s Art Gallery – Advisory Committee, as well as The Tampa Museum of Art’s Diversity & Inclusion Task Force.