March 10, 2021 – Ulmer & Berne LLP is proud to announce that Partner Inajo Davis Chappell has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of The MetroHealth System, a nationally ranked nonprofit health care system in Cleveland, Ohio.
Chappell was appointed by Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish to serve a six-year term on the Board, which is comprised of 10 voluntary members, and her appointment was approved by two judges and the Cuyahoga County Council. In this role, Chappell will support MetroHealth as it continues to provide outstanding health care for individuals and promote the health of the community.
“Because I’ve known Inajo Davis Chappell for 30 years, I also know that her extraordinary skills as an attorney and her selfless commitment to public service will make her a valuable member of The MetroHealth System’s Board of Trustees,” said Vanessa L. Whiting, Chair of The MetroHealth System Board of Trustees. “Our mission to improve the health of all our patients and indeed all the people of Cuyahoga County will only be enhanced by her wisdom, dedication to justice, and deep knowledge of our community. My colleagues and I welcome her to the board and know that together we will continue and expand the important work of MetroHealth.”
As Group Leader of Ulmer’s Nonprofit Practice Group, Chappell has supported numerous organizations in their missions to positively impact the world. Under her direction, the practice has grown to represent more than 100 exempt organizations, ranging from social service agencies to arts groups, health organizations, foundations, community development corporations, and educational and governmental institutions. She also represents for-profit businesses in a variety of legal matters, including corporate law and governance, general business transactions, and commercial real estate acquisition, development, construction, and financing.
Chappell is a respected civic leader and community volunteer who has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, foundations, and professional groups throughout her career. She has held key leadership roles with The Cleveland Foundation and the Medical Mutual of Ohio Charitable Foundation, and currently serves on the boards of ERIEBANK Ohio, the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, and Say Yes Cleveland Scholarship. She is also committed to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and serves as Chair of Ulmer’s DEI Committee, which guides the firm in its diversity efforts and hosts educational programming that enhances the firm’s culture of inclusion.
Consistently honored for her contributions to the legal profession and the community, Chappell has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America© for Nonprofit/Charities Law every year since 2011, has been named a “Black Leader Worth Watching” by Profiles in Diversity Journal, a “Notable Woman in Law” by Crain’s Cleveland Business, and Savoy Magazine lists her as one of the “Most Influential Women in Corporate America” and “Most Influential Black Lawyers,” among other honors.
“I am excited about the innovative work that MetroHealth leadership is implementing to focus on community health,” said Chappell. “Even before the pandemic, I had a personal interest in minority health disparities, and the approach MetroHealth is taking to fight these systemic health care problems and improve health care outcomes for our county’s residents is significant. I am honored to be a part of this important organization and am committed to advancing MetroHealth’s mission as it leads the way in building a healthier community.”