Kimberly Chalek is the Vice President of External Affairs for the Georgia Center for Opportunity (GCO), where she leads the organization’s fundraising strategy to build the resources and relationships needed to advance GCO’s mission. 

Kimberly’s areas of expertise include building high-performing teams and helping organizations clarify their goals, connecting funding opportunities to measurable outcomes, and creating clear pathways for long-term effects. She is passionate about donor-centered fundraising, seeking to build trust-based relationships that align the impact a donor hopes to have with the organization’s most pressing needs. 

Prior to joining GCO, Kimberly held leadership roles at the Platte Institute for Economic Research and the State Policy Network (SPN). As the Executive Vice President at the Platte Institute, she led strategic planning that resulted in a meaningful shift in the organization’s mission and programs, and she guided annual planning to ensure it aligned with long-term strategy. She also drove a development approach that more than doubled support from individuals, businesses, and foundations. Earlier in her tenure at the Platte Institute, as the Director of Development, Kimberly built the organization’s first comprehensive fundraising program, increasing contributions by 54% and maintaining strong donor retention. 

As the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at SPN, Kimberly built and managed cross-functional teams, mentored development leaders across the country, and facilitated strategy and planning processes that helped nonprofit leaders navigate complex challenges and strengthen their fundraising capacity.

Kimberly is passionate about GCO’s mission and vision because she believes that everyone deserves access to opportunities that allow them to live a fulfilling life. She is especially drawn to GCO’s unique approach—advancing state-level policy solutions that expand opportunity while also working directly in communities alongside trusted partners to help families flourish.