Rose Chapman was born in Cuba and came to the US in 1961. Graduated with her degree in Sociology from Queens College, NY in 1973 and from Fordham University in 1976 with her Masters in Social Work. For the past 25 years she was President/CEO at JFCS of the Suncoast and recently retired. She was also an adjunct Professor at USF Sarasota Manatee Campus since 1998. Prior to coming to Sarasota she was a Clinical Director at JFS in Miami for sixteen years.

In 2006 she received the Florida State award from the National Association of Social Workers as the Florida State Social Worker of the Year. In 2007 the Sarasota Community Foundation awarded her an award for Excellence in non-profit leadership.

She is presently Board Chair of Josh Provides Epilepsy Foundation and on the Board of SCOSA.