Becky Chambless, Business Administration and Management Class of 2015, Nonprofit Management Emphasis

Alumna Becky Chambless has built a career that spans nonprofit fundraising, consulting, wildlife conservation, and now children’s book publishing, all grounded in a deep commitment to purpose, people, and community impact. Her journey reflects a willingness to follow opportunity wherever it leads, often in unexpected directions.

When Becky returned to school at Alaska Pacific University, she was a working single mother raising a young son. “The motivation was really, who do I want my son to see when he looks back at who his mom is,” she shared. “I wanted him to see that grit and that scrappy mom who made things happen.” APU’s flexible, applied learning environment allowed her to connect coursework directly to her work in fundraising while building skills she could immediately use in the field.

After graduating in 2015, Becky began her career in nonprofit fundraising at Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis, where she developed a lifelong philosophy that fundraising is rooted in relationships, not transactions. “Fundraising is about relationships, not transactions,” she said. A pivotal moment came after hearing a conference speaker reframe fundraisers as connectors who align passion with mission, a perspective that continues to shape her work today.

Becky’s path shifted again during the pandemic when corporate restructuring led her out of a role in community affairs. Encouraged by her husband, she launched Ember Consulting, focused on helping nonprofits build sustainable, mission driven fundraising strategies. “Everybody has that ember inside them,” she explained, describing the inspiration behind her business name.

Her work eventually expanded into the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, where she combined fundraising with hands on education and wildlife care. There, she supported programs involving orphaned musk ox calves, educational outreach, and animal care. Those experiences also inspired her upcoming children’s book, Warren’s Way Home, based on a rescued fox and designed to teach children about wildlife safety and stewardship.

Throughout her journey, Becky emphasizes the power of relationships and mentorship. “The only difference you’ll be between now and ten years from now are the people you meet and the books you read,” she reflected. For her, APU represents exactly that kind of community, where connection and encouragement continue long after graduation.