By Michele Banares

Andrea Chambers recently made the transition from the nonprofit sector to the government sector, as the Director of Community Outreach for Atlanta City Council Member, Michael Julian Bond. Although she switched sectors, the knowledge she gained throughout her nonprofit career path is essential in her current role and helps her provide resources to constituents of City Council Member, Michael Julian Bond.

Andrea’s background is counseling. She received her undergraduate degree from Spelman College and her graduate degree from Clark Atlanta University with a M.A. in Educational Psychology and Measurement.

Andrea has worked in almost every role in the nonprofit sector. She began her nonprofit career by finding a position on OpportunityKnocks.org at Forever Family as a Family Advocate, which lead her to become Lead Teacher at South Metro Psychoeducational Center.

Later, Andrea transitioned out of the Education Field, to become a Disability Specialist, Counselor and Case Manager for Human Services organizations. Then she moved into nonprofit administration, becoming Best Kids Director and Workforce Development Director for Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commence.

After working in the nonprofit administration area, Andrea held top director positions at VSA arts of Georgia as Assistant Director/Development Director and Executive Director of Jean Childs Young Institute for Youth Leadership.

Andrea attained many of her nonprofit career jobs from Opportunity Knocks and says, “Opportunity Knocks has shaped my career.”

Nonprofit Career Path
Jobs Andrea found on Opportunity Knocks

Executive Director
Jean Childs Young Institute for Youth Leadership, Atlanta, GA

Assistant Director/Development Director
VSA arts of Georgia, Atlanta, GA

Best KIDS Director
Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, Roswell, GA

Case Manager
Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority, Atlanta, GA

Counselor
Partnership Against Domestic Violence, Atlanta, GA

Family Advocate
Forever Family, Atlanta, GA


A clear career path is something many people struggle with. When asked about her nonprofit career path, Andrea said, “The positions I chose were inline with my planned career instead of just obtaining a job. Also, Opportunity Knocks had a wide variety of nonprofit job listings and was very user friendly.”

Although, Andrea switched from the nonprofit sector to the government sector and did not find her current position on Opportunity Knocks, the move was still inline with her career path. “I believe in the work of Councilmember Bond,” said Andrea. “He has dedicated a lifetime of public service to Atlanta. I also am still involved with many nonprofits by volunteering and I’m Chair of the Board for OGCC Behavioral Health Service.”

In her current role as Director of Community Outreach for Atlanta City Councilmember, Michael Julian Bond, who presides over Post 1 At –Large, Andrea is in an influential role to help not only constituents, but nonprofit organizations. “Although the City council does not distribute funding, I am able to direct some nonprofits to where they can search for funding,” said Andrea. A trend Andrea is seeing from nonprofits in Atlanta is the increase in networking and collaboration. “Nonprofits are working more with less money. The networking and collaboration that many nonprofits are doing is positive,” said Andrea.

Andrea is now beginning her government career and although she has not stated her career path goals, I am sure we will be seeing her career climb.

If you would like help in your nonprofit career path, please e-mail Opportunity Knocks at support@opportunityknocks.org and indicate your subject as “Nonprofit Career Path.”

Atlanta City Council Member, Michael Julian Bond can be reached at: 55 Trinity Ave. Second Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303, and 404-330-6770.