by: Karen Brune Mathis Editor
PS27 Foundation Chairman Jim Stallings presented the 2021 PS27 Entrepreneur Award, its first, to Delores Kesler.
“Delores Kesler is an extraordinarily successful entrepreneur and founder of multiple companies who has lived the journey of the PS27 motto: ‘Think Big, start small,’” said a PS27 news release Aug. 24.
Kesler started ATS Services, now a part of Adecco, in 1978 when there were few female business leaders.
When she retired as its chairman in 1998, the company reported annual revenue of more than $2 billion.
“We believe that Delores best exemplifies the spirit and success of the purpose-driven entrepreneurial leader. This award is a recognition of her business achievement and personal values,” Stallings said.
Stallings presented the award to Kesler in the company of her family and staff.
PS27 said Kesler was the first keynote speaker at PS27’s Female Founders Forum in 2016.
More than 250 women now attend the annual event “that celebrates, inspires, and connects female entrepreneurs to successful founders and resources.”
PS27 said the Female Founders Forum has become the largest event in celebration of International Women’s Day in Florida.
Kesler has served on boards for several publicly traded companies as well as JAX Chamber, the University of North Florida Foundation, the Florida Council of 100, the Alliance for World Class Education and more.
Jacksonville-based PS27 Ventures created the PS27 Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization.
PS27 Ventures describes itself as a venture capital group that provides educational resources to early-stage founders and startup teams to help them become “purpose-driven leaders and CEOs.”
The PS27 Foundation says it has designed programs for women, veterans, and people of color to help underserved groups participate in the innovation economy. It provides training and education through virtual workshops, company site visits, mentoring and distance learning.
It is supported and funded by strategic partnerships with local and national corporations and community groups.