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Volunteer to VP: Celebrating Sandra Mitchell’s 20-Year Chamber Career 

Sandra Mitchell, Vice President of Membership and Investor Relations, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, retires this June. Her career has helped move our community forward and left behind a legacy of leadership that will shape our Chamber’s future for years to come. 

Mitchell launched her career with the Chattanooga Chamber as a volunteer in 2001, after relocating from Florida. She served as a Chamber volunteer for 10 years before joining the executive team in 2012. 

“Working at the Chamber is more than just a job. It’s a part of my life. I was able to participate in Leadership Chattanooga and serve on the council board, which are amazing opportunities and experiences. The Chamber was instrumental throughout my career, from being part of an award-winning nonprofit to starting a new component of my family business, and then serving on the Executive Committee, the Chamber has been a wonderful part of my world for 20 years,” Mitchell says. 

Mitchell thrives on bringing communities together. During her time here, she has developed and coordinated some of the most successful membership campaigns – most recently, Mitchell assisted in raising $15 million toward the five-year Chattanooga Climbs campaign. Mitchell played a major role in forming the Chamber’s Downtown Council, one of 12 Chamber volunteer councils, where she served as president shortly after its formation. 

She recently earned her Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) title and is proud to carry this with her into retirement. Mitchell also played a key role in bringing the Chamber of the Year Award home to Chattanooga in 2017. When asked what the biggest takeaway would be from her time at the Chamber, Mitchell explains she is most proud of the role she played in building the Chamber’s inclusive culture. 

She is excited to move on to the next stage in her life, becoming a 500-hour certified yoga instructor and creating beach-themed works of art. She is looking forward to pursuing her passions and spending more time with those she loves. 

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