National Leadership Program, Summer 2015 – Summer 2017
Justin Chappell was a Democracy and Outreach Fellow with RespectAbility beginning in the summer of 2015 and then served as a Communications Fellow in 2017. Chappell brought more than 15 years experience in public policy, resource development, marketing and community organizing to RespectAbility. During the fall 2015 and winter 2015-2016 cohorts, Chappell spent months on the trail engaging presidential candidates in the early primary states. In addition, he conducted research on the campaign’s policies and created contact databases. His reporting from the trail can be found on The RespectAbility Report.
Prior to RespectAbility, Chappell worked for U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, the National Council On Independent Living, AFSCME labor union and the White House, as well as an Independent Living Specialist helping consumers of his local Center for Independent Living. Chappell has served on several national non-profit and local civic organization boards, and as an elected official focusing on employment, affordable housing, education, environmental protection, LGBT and mental health issues. He received his B.A. in Politics from The Catholic University of America with a focus on American government, political theory, the impact of polling data and public interest groups. Chappell was proficient in American Sign Language, Russian, Spanish and Latin.
Chappell profiled Lisa Thomas, a guest speaker for the 2017 Summer Fellowship. Read it on our website: