Chantell Smith is a retired U.S. Army sergeant major, licensed minister, author, and mentor whose journey moves from inner-city struggle to decades of service and leadership. Rooted deeply in her faith, Chantell’s mission is to lift others — especially women — into their full potential. We’re featuring her because her story of resilience, compassion, and unapologetic femininity speaks powerfully to our 5M+ Humans of Fuzia community that’s building more women leaders every day.
Q: What inspires you to do this work?
Chantell: My faith is at the center of everything I do. It’s what guides me to help others grow — spiritually, professionally, and personally — so they can step fully into the life they were created to live.
Q: You’ve faced a lot of challenges — what stands out and how did you get through them?
Chantell: I grew up in inner-city Miami during some very difficult years. When I was 21, both of my parents passed away, and I became the primary caregiver for my younger sister, who was 8 at the time. Later, serving 22 years in the Army — including deployments — taught me discipline, compassion, and strength. Those early hardships and my military experiences shaped me into a resilient leader who leads from understanding, not bitterness.
Q: What’s your proudest milestone?
Chantell: My proudest milestone is seeing my little sister thrive. She graduated from college, built her career, and strengthened her faith. More than promotions or degrees, her success is the proof that what I poured into her made a difference.
Q: Are you a solo entrepreneur or do you have a team?
Chantell: I’m not a one-woman show. In ministry, I lead a team of about 17 people. Even without a title, people gravitate toward those they trust and feel cared for. Teamwork has been essential to everything I do.
Q: What’s your perspective on women in leadership today?
Chantell: Women have always been leaders — often beginning at home — and we bring emotional intelligence and attention to detail that every organization needs. We deserve more seats at the table, because leadership becomes richer and more holistic when women are at the center of it.
Q: How do you handle imposter syndrome when it shows up?
Chantell: It definitely shows up at times. Whenever I’m made to feel “less than,” I return to my faith and remind myself of who I am and the gifts God has given me. That grounding helps me move forward confidently without shrinking.
Q: What message do you have for future women leaders and entrepreneurs?
Chantell: Show up with your whole self. Don’t tone down your femininity to fit someone else’s definition of a leader. Be unapologetically you — someone is watching, and you will inspire them.
Q: How do you define success?
Chantell: Success is discovering and walking in your God-given gifts — doing the work that brings you joy while making someone else’s life better. It’s not just about titles or money; it’s about impact.
“Show up as your whole self — you can be feminine and fierce, and still be a strong leader.” — Chantell Smith
Want to be featured?
If you’d like to be featured in the Humans of Fuzia series, email us at fuziatalent@fuzia.com.
