This month in the SASSY Blog, Dr. Elizabeth King sat down with Tamara Chase, CEO of Chase Roofing, devoted mentor, former board member, and last year’s Heidi Dennis Wonder Woman Champion of the Year.
This month in the SASSY Blog, Dr. Elizabeth King sat down with Tamara Chase, CEO of Chase Roofing, devoted mentor, former board member, and last year’s Heidi Dennis Wonder Woman Champion of the Year.Tamara’s journey is one of courage, clarity, and community. She shares how moments of challenge became defining points of growth, why she believes in building a business on values, and how mentoring women has become one of her greatest sources of joy.
Her story is a powerful reminder that when women lead with vision and purpose, guided by integrity and intention, they transform and uplift entire communities.
Dr. Elizabeth King: Congratulations on being named our first Heidi Dennis Wonder Woman Champion of the Year last year! What does this honor mean to you personally and professionally?
Tamara Chase: I was incredibly honored to receive this award. It was meaningful to be recognized for the ways we support SSL through our company, Chase Roofing, and for my own involvement as a board member, mentor, and volunteer. Personally, it was a moment of deep appreciation, especially coming from a community that aligns so closely with my own values of empowerment and service. Professionally, it felt like a validation that the work I do with intention and integrity is seen and valued. I hope it inspires other companies to realize that even small, consistent contributions can make a big impact.
Dr. Elizabeth King: You’ve worn many hats with Suits, Stilettos and Lipstick Foundation, as a corporate partner, LIFT mentor, and former board member. What has being part of the SSL family meant to you personally and professionally?
Tamara Chase: I first got involved with SSL after hearing Dr. King speak at a local bank event. Two things she said really stuck with me: her mission to make sure no child goes through Christmas without a toy, and her belief that when women are supported, the entire family grows. That resonated with me deeply. I became a donor, then a member, and started attending events. The people I met kept me coming back. The SSL community is full of brilliant, driven, compassionate individuals who truly care. Serving on the board and working alongside Dr. King and Dr. Haase gave me even more respect for the level of intention and effort that goes into every initiative. SSL has absolutely shaped my values as a leader and the culture we nurture at Chase Roofing.
Dr. Elizabeth King: As a LIFT mentor, what has been the most rewarding part of guiding future trailblazers?
Tamara Chase: I love everything about mentoring. I love the relationships I build with my mentees and the chance to support them as they grow. It’s such a gift to be part of someone’s journey as they invest in their education and career. Each time, I’m reminded of how much I’ve learned throughout my own path and how important my mentors were to me. I always encourage women who have business experience to pay it forward by mentoring others. The next generation of leaders benefits so much from real, lived experiences being shared.
Dr. Elizabeth King: You lead in a male-dominated industry as the CEO of Chase Roofing, what are the biggest challenges you have overcome, and what advice would you give to other women striving to break barriers?
Tamara Chase: In the early days, I took a lot of people’s answers as the ultimate truth. Over time, I learned to trust my own voice and values. There were definitely moments where I felt dismissed or had to work harder to be seen. But I used those experiences as fuel to shape a clear vision and bring my team into alignment with it. I’ve been called a disrupter, and I’m okay with that. I chose to do things differently when industry norms didn’t align with my ethics. I believe in building a culture of trust and kindness. My advice to other women: surround yourself with people who are brilliant in their own lanes, stay curious, stay humble, and never compromise your values.
Dr. Elizabeth King: What drives your passion for mentoring and uplifting other women through programs like LIFT?
Tamara Chase: I’ve had incredible mentors—both women and men—who believed in me, supported me, and challenged me to grow. One of my earliest leadership experiences was with the Civil Air Patrol, where I was often the only girl. It taught me confidence, structure, and how to lead. I want to give other women the same kind of opportunities. I believe it’s important to create space for women in industries and roles where they haven’t historically been seen. Everyone wins when we bring new voices and perspectives into leadership. And when you see someone shine because you believed in them? That’s everything.
Dr. Elizabeth King: How do you balance the demands of running a successful company with your commitment to service and leadership development?
Tamara Chase: I love being fully present in whatever space I’m in. To support that, I structure my day intentionally. I set alarms for every appointment and for the time I need to leave for the next one. I keep meetings brief and focused—10-minute intro calls, 25- or 45-minute working sessions—so I have time to reflect, stretch, delegate, or reset. When I get home, I stop at the door, leave work behind, and greet my husband with a kiss. That moment grounds me. I also prioritize strength training, meditation, and quiet time. I recently hit a point of overwhelm and reached out to a coach, who reminded me to treat myself like I would a dear friend. That shifted everything. We all need support. None of us do this alone.
Dr. Elizabeth King: What is your secret sauce to being resilient?
Tamara Chase: I’ve realized that resilience isn’t about having confidence ahead of time. It’s about doing the hard thing, feeling scared, and building confidence through the process. Each time I’ve stepped into something new, I’ve wondered if I was really qualified. It’s a theme that’s followed me. But I’ve learned to trust the growth process and give myself grace. I focus on taking care of myself first—through travel, meditation, strength training, family time, and time alone with my husband. When I’m overwhelmed, I pause, ask for support, and realign. One tool that helped recently was rereading The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan. It reminded me that how we choose to see our progress matters.
Dr. Elizabeth King: Can you share a defining moment in your career that shaped who you are as a leader today?
Tamara Chase: Taking over the company in 2010 was a defining moment for me. The industry wasn’t used to women in leadership, and the added dynamic of working with my husband made it tricky. If someone didn’t like my answer, they’d ask him instead. It left me feeling diminished at times. But in 2014, everything changed. My husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. His chances of survival were slim. I stood by him through treatment and ran the company at the same time. I never missed a single appointment. That season taught me to lead with clarity, directness, and purpose. My team stepped up and from that point on, I led from a place of mutual respect, trust, and strength.
Dr. Elizabeth King: What do you hope you leave as your legacy?
Tamara Chase: I hope I’m remembered for the values we’ve built Chase Roofing on. We don’t cut corners. We lead with integrity. We serve our community with quality and heart. We’ve built a place where people come to work, grow, and thrive. I’m proud that I’ve consistently leaned into what felt right, even when it was hard. Every one of those decisions adds up to your reputation. I hope my legacy is one of empowerment, integrity, and pouring belief into others.
Dr. Elizabeth King: When you’re not running a successful business or mentoring future leaders, how do you unwind and recharge? Any favorite hobbies or guilty pleasures?
Tamara Chase: I love traveling and discovering new cultures, foods, wines, and fancy cocktails. I have so much fun going to Nashville with my girlfriends or attending music festivals. I jump at any chance to wear a pixie fairy costume or a colorful wig—it’s all about fun, joy, and self-expression. I also scuba dive, which grounds me and reminds me of the beauty of the underwater world. A good vacation for me is exploring grocery stores in other countries and eating our way through them, meeting people along the way. Life is too short not to play and explore.
Dr. Elizabeth King: What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you—maybe a hidden talent or a quirky habit?
Tamara Chase: Honestly, I’m an open book! I feel like most people know all the fun and quirky parts of me already. But if there’s anything you haven’t seen yet—stay tuned on my social threads. I’m sure I’ll reveal it there eventually. Haha!
Dr. Elizabeth King: You look like you are very self-confident. You show up unapologetically and boldly. How did you gain your self-confidence, and do you ever have self-doubts?
Tamara Chase: I recently learned that confidence comes after the experience—not before. For a long time, I thought I needed to feel confident to take action. But I’ve realized that doing the scary thing first is what builds that confidence. Self-doubt still creeps in. The theme of “Am I qualified?” has followed me for years. But I meet it with curiosity and grace now. I remind myself that pressure is part of growth, and I don’t need to have it all figured out to move forward.
