2007 Most Influential Women Honoree: Kelley Still

Servant leadership is a principle at the heart of the influence of Kelley Still, Ph. D. “I try to make it possible for people to accomplish their goals,” Still said. “I demonstrate that I don't ask people to give more than I am willing to give … no tasks are beneath me.”

As an associate professor at Drury University and director of the school’s 12-year-old Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Tax Assistance Program, Still coordinates students’ efforts to file tax returns for low-income and elderly taxpayers in the computer lab at Drury’s Breech School of Business Administration.

“This is one of the best examples of service learning for students,” Still said. “The taxpayers get a high-quality, professional service and the students learn so much about how to work with real clients and their documents. More importantly, students develop a keen sense of how tax policy affects individuals’ lives.”

With encouragement from the IRS, the VITA program has recently expanded, partnering with the Ministers Coalition of Springfield, Great Southern Bank and Mid-Missouri Bank to provide personal financial training and incentives to encourage saving among taxpayers.

Still further encourages students by inviting them to activities and introducing them to professionals in the community.

“This builds their confidence and makes them less afraid to work with adults,” Still said. “Employers tell us they know our graduates will jump in and immediately add value because we have given them so much real-world opportunity and exposure.”

Parents Don and Janet Brown get credit from Still for setting an example of active community life, and she credits the American Society of Women Accountants for giving her leadership skills and the confidence to lead.

Beyond the classroom, Still is a past treasurer of the Chamber Orchestra of the Ozarks, past president of the Springfield Community Center and secretary of the Springfield Regional Opera’s board of directors, in addition to several other groups. She also has published and presented several papers and articles throughout her career.

One-on-one with Kelley Still

What advice do you have for young women preparing to enter the work force?

I tell my students to wear clothes they feel comfortable in and that fit their personality, but they should make sure their apparel and accessories are not a distraction from their expertise and professionalism. Your work clothes should be like a uniform in that they are different than what you would wear to social events or even to church.

Beyond the golden rule, what philosophy guides you?

My basic philosophy is to live a life of gratitude. I am so thankful for my wonderful family, friends and colleagues, and I thank the Lord for my wonderful, blessed life everyday … . I have also been deeply affected by a quote from Maya Angelou that I have taped to my office door: “People will never remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”

Please tell us about your family.

My daughter, Leah, is 25. She graduated from Mizzou’s journalism school. Currently, she works ski seasons at Vail, Colo., and writes freelance. My son, Logan, is 24 and finishing up his mechanical engineering degree at the University of Oklahoma. My son,Lucas, is 17 and is a senior at Glendale High School. … The four of us just returned from vacation in Colorado where we hiked, biked, rafted and, most importantly, had a lot of laughs.

Information accurate at the time of the honor.