Her Story
About Stephanie
Stephanie Bell brings more than three decades of experience to her work in government affairs and community relations. She has held roles across government, her own consulting firm Bell Consulting, and other organizations, focusing on communications, project management, and event planning while navigating regulatory and legislative matters. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, the Leadership Kentucky program, and the Commerce Lexington Leadership Program, Stephanie serves as chair of the KCTCS Foundation, on the Commerce Lexington Executive Committee, and on the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Her notable achievements include securing a $25 million tax rebate for a telecommunications client. She attributes her success to strong mentors, including her mother, and values honesty and treating others as she would like to be treated. Stephanie advises professionals to be confident, speak up, and remain kind while building respectful relationships.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Stephanie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I had great mentors along the way, and my mother was one of those. She was very sweet, successful in government, and encouraged me to be the same. So, you know, just having those mentors around to encourage you and to, you know, push you into, maybe, situations or spaces that were not as comfortable as she would like, but that helped you to grow.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
If you're not at the table, you're on the menu. I made another one up, too, and this is… I think that women kind of suffer from this. If you don't ask, you don't get 100% of the time. I have to remind myself of that all the time.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think you need to be confident, you need to speak up for yourself. And you need to be kind. You know, it's one of those things that, in the professional life, you tend to encounter the same people all the time through different stages. It's important to create those situations that are respectful and not to burn bridges.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I think honesty, and I live by the golden rule in my personal and my professional life, and that has helped me to deal with strategic situations, whether it's dealing with difficult people or difficult situations, by living your life like that, it's just a lot easier to navigate.
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