Ember Bishop Bentley
Chair
Ember Bentley is the Vice President for External Affairs & Chief of Staff at Middle Georgia State University and serves as a key member of the president’s leadership team. Bentley works closely with the President and University System of Georgia staff to review proposed policy initiatives and legislation and serves as an advocate for Middle Georgia State and the USG to lawmakers. As the lead staff member in the president’s office and primary liaison for the University to develop partnerships with state and federal government entities, Bentley participates in institutional planning and problem-solving, and coordinates regular and special projects and institutional initiatives on behalf of the president, frequently involving senior officers of the University.
She was previously executive director of the Georgia Forestry Foundation, deputy commissioner for international relations for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and served as Chief of Staff to First Lady Sandra Deal. Bentley sits on the boards of the Georgia Forestry Commission, Jekyll Island Foundation, Macon-Bibb Industrial Authority, Academy for Classical Education, and the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Rural Prosperity Council, Georgia Chamber Government Affairs Council, Protocol and Diplomacy International Protocol Officers Association, Rotary Club of Macon, and an Atrium-Navicent Ambassador.
Bentley is a graduate of Leadership Georgia, Protocol Partners and the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Shorter University and a master’s degree from Georgia College and State University in the field of Public Administration with a focus on Public Policy.
Ember, her husband Will, and their daughter reside in Macon and attend North Macon Presbyterian Church.
