Schnell Blanton is a distinguished member of the Addison community, bringing more than 25 years of executive, operational, and community leadership experience to public service. Her career is grounded in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, talent development, and organizational leadership. In her professional career at Nielsen, Schnell serves in the People Organization (HR Talent, Learning, Culture, and Engagement), where she leads global career development.
Before joining Nielsen, Schnell founded and led an international beverage distribution business, building the company from the ground up while developing expertise in business development, regulatory compliance, and fiscal discipline. Her entrepreneurial leadership earned recognition as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award nominee, a "Super CEO" by the Business Assistance Center Inc., and recipient of the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Dorothea N. Hornbuckle Business Entrepreneur Award. She has also been honored with the Trailblazer Award from The Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Women of Visionary Influence Business Award, and the Vision Maker Award from the Southern Dallas Development Corporation.
Schnell has a long, proven record of civic and nonprofit leadership in Addison and across North Texas. Prior to serving on the City Council, she was actively involved in local boards, committees, and community initiatives, including the Addison Airport Steering Committee, the South Quorum Road study, the Addison Citizens Academy, the Addison Midday Rotary Club, and the Addison Place HOA, where she served as Board President. Notably, she co-created the Addison CARES program alongside the Addison Police Department’s Resource Officer, an effort that earned her the Citizens Certificate of Merit Award.
Her broader service includes leadership and advisory roles with Angels 2 Angels, the American Heart Association Women with Heart Advisory Board, the National Association of Women Business Owners, and the Oaklawn (Lee) Park Board of Directors. A graduate of Metrocrest Leadership Class 35 and the LBJ Women’s Campaign School at The University of Texas, she currently serves as Chair of the Metrocrest Alumni Association and as the Town of Addison’s liaison to the Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce. Her dedication has also been recognized corporately with the Nielsen Top 50 Volunteer Award and the Nielsen Circle of Excellence Award.
As a Council member, Schnell is committed to thoughtful growth, strong infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, and preserving the high quality of life that makes Addison a vibrant place to live, work, and do business. Schnell grew up in Denton, Texas, attended Texas Woman's University, and is passionate about being of service. In her spare time, she enjoys discovering historic landmarks throughout the DFW area and during her travels. She is also the proud pet parent of Archie Harrison Blanton, who happily serves as her Director of PAWSitivity.