Age: 39
Occupation: Owner, Vine & Rind; entrepreneur;
principal, Jefferson Middle School
Email: chelseyziebler@gmail.com
Education: Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management; master’s degree in consumer studies; master’s degree in educational leadership
Family: Husband, David; twins, Landon and Leah, 11
Affiliations/community activities: Local business owner, educational leader, mentor, community event organizer, youth advocate and supporter of numerous Springfield-area charitable and community initiatives
What is your guiding principle in life? People matter. Whether in education, business or everyday life, I believe success is measured by the positive impact we have on others and the relationships we build along the way.
What led you to your career? I have always been drawn to serving people and creating meaningful experiences. That passion led me to pursue careers in both educational leadership and hospitality, two fields that, at their core, are about building relationships, fostering connections and helping others grow.
What is your greatest hope for Springfield? I hope Springfield continues to grow while maintaining its strong sense of community. Our city is at its best when local businesses, schools, nonprofits and families work together to create opportunities and meaningful experiences for everyone.
What has been your greatest professional achievement? Creating organizations and environments where people can succeed. Watching students achieve their goals, team members develop into leaders and guests connect through shared experiences has been more rewarding than any title or recognition. The lasting impact on people is what I value most.
Has any one event of the past year affected you and how? The overwhelming support our community has shown for Vine & Rind has had a profound impact on me. What began as a dream has grown into something far greater than I ever imagined because people believed in the vision and chose to support it. That experience reinforced my belief that if you can dream it, work hard and believe in yourself, incredible things are possible. I hope my journey encourages other women to pursue their passions, take risks and have confidence in their ability to create something meaningful in their own lives and communities.
What’s the worst career advice you’ve ever received?
“Play it safe.” Some of the most rewarding opportunities in my life came from taking calculated risks.
This article appears in July SBJ 2026.