Brenda Chambers, PSS, QMHA, CDAC
Brenda Chambers, PSS, QMHA, CDAC (She/Her) is a highly experienced social work and community health professional with nearly 20 years of dedication to serving diverse populations. She is currently pursuing her degree in Social Work at Portland State University while serving as Chairperson for the Multnomah County Community Health Centers Board. In this volunteer role, which she began in January, Brenda meets weekly with the Chief Executive Officer and board members to oversee programs, finances, and budgets for an organization serving over 60,000 people. She is also actively involved in guiding the development of a new health center building, a capstone project for the organization. Brenda’s career has been shaped by her deep commitment to counseling and public health. She spent six years running an HIV counseling and education program for American Indians and Alaska Natives in Utah, traveling extensively across the state and collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Utah State Department of Health, and Indian Health Services. More recently, she spent five years as a peer support specialist for two different organizations, supporting individuals through recovery and crisis intervention while advancing her education. Brenda brings a wealth of knowledge in counseling, motivational enhancement therapy, relapse prevention, and culturally informed care, always helping clients discover hope and resilience. Known for her empathy, leadership, and perseverance, Brenda is a natural mentor and advocate. She has also contributed to the community as a jewelry designer, volunteer HIV prevention tester and counselor, and freelance customer service evaluator. Her combination of hands-on experience, strategic leadership, and lived experience in recovery allows her to empower individuals and communities alike. Whether in boardroom decisions or one-on-one counseling, Brenda is dedicated to fostering health, well-being, and opportunities for lasting positive change.
• Certificate , Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II
• Certified Recovery mentor
• Cosmetology: Natural Hair Care
• Portland community college
• Dean's List
• Golden Key International Honour Society Inductee
• Delta Alpha Phi
• National Society of Leadership & Success
• Phi Theta Kappa
• Delta Kappa Pi honor society
• Utah State HIV Community Planning Committee
What do you attribute your success to?
I have a lot of people in my world that support me. I'm really lucky. When things get tough and when I get down, I've got people that support me, and I can get back up and follow my dreams. That support system has been crucial to my success. Also, I don't give up.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Nothing's too big. You can always achieve your dreams. And you're never too old. I'm 62, and I'm going on my bachelor's degree, so that shows you that you're never too old to pursue a dream.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Have a stiff upper lip, because you're going to get knocked down a little bit. But just keep your heart open, because people are worth it. They're worth it to help. And yeah, keeping your heart open is a lot of it. People prefer to have a champion.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges for social workers right now is the climate of social determinants. The way that things are set up, it's not to help the people so much, and that goes against everything that social workers do. That makes it really hard to be a social worker. It does hinder us to a certain extent from being able to help others. It puts a lot of bricks in the way of helping somebody to achieve their better selves, because there's not enough help out there to give them the help that they need to find themselves.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Keeping an open heart, believe in the worth of people, and perseverance.