What’s Next for AMA PDX Agency Volunteers?
An inside look at how volunteers plan to add their skills to their professional credentials and continue creating impact.
Our team of volunteers who ran the Lloyd EcoDistrict non-profit client campaign had a very transformative season. As the 2025 AMA PDX Agency year has now wrapped, the team is reflecting on what they’ve accomplished—helping to amplify sustainable urban development efforts, community outreach, and design tools that build long-term engagement.
In our final team feature for the year, we’re looking ahead to see what’s on the horizon for these volunteers: how they plan to leverage their experience, scale their impact, and plans for staying involved with their communities.
Reflecting on Growth Through the Agency Experience
This team delivered some impressive final results, gaining strategic skills to drive neighborhood sustainability programs and creating tools that support community engagement. With a future-focused mindset, these volunteers are already looking ahead. We checked in with their account managers to learn about next steps and how these new insights are shaping their career paths and professional development.
Janet Carter (co-account manager) shared that leading an Agency team has helped strengthen her leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills, which she’s already applying in her new role leading agency teams. While not currently in a formal management position, she continues to work closely with colleagues at every level of her organization in a dynamic agency-style environment.
Elena Vasileva (co-account manager) shared a similar experience:
“I plan to continue applying the skills I gained – particularly around organization and leadership – in my current role,” said Elena. “It’s been a valuable experience diving deeper into the non-profit environment, learning best practices and effective marketing tools. I especially enjoyed the process — communicating with the team, brainstorming, and collaborating on projects such as video recordings, client meetings, and presentations.”
This project provided volunteers with the opportunity to collaborate closely with a community organization committed to sustainable urban development, while also refining their own professional toolkits.
Challenges and Lessons
Every project comes with challenges, and this team was no exception. The Lloyd EcoDistrict team learned how to balance volunteer commitments with professional schedules and navigate the unique needs and expectations of a nonprofit client. These challenges provided the stepping stones for deeper learning. The volunteer team faced these milestones with resilience, adaptability, and creativity.
Janet reflected:
“I was able to develop and expand on my leadership skills, which will continue to serve me in my career. We faced challenges keeping our volunteers engaged and accountable – if in a similar position again, I would rely more heavily on community agreements, both in establishing them and using them to help people feel heard and valued so they remain engaged. Having a strong project manager is also key. Elena was that to our team, and she was awesome.”
Janet shared that numerous team members are also eager to collaborate again:
“There are several team members that I would welcome the chance to work with again, and I hope our paths cross in the future.”
What’s Next
It’s always bittersweet as another season closes for the AMA PDX Agency program. A balance of feeling accomplished, yet an eagerness to look ahead at what's to come next. For some Agency volunteers, it means applying their new skills directly to their professional roles and proudly showcasing their work on LinkedIn and professional portfolios. For others, it’s staying connected to the nonprofit sector and professional marketing networks, or continuing their involvement with AMA PDX. Volunteers often go on to fill board positions and other leadership roles with both AMA PDX and AMA PDX Agency. For AMA volunteers, the Agency isn’t just six months of service—it’s a launchpad for continued growth and connection. Together, each year we learn more about the endless possibilities.
Elena shared her next steps:
“I plan to participate in AMA PDX community meetups, conferences, projects, and workshops. This experience was so valuable to me as a marketer and as an immigrant, learning more about the U.S. nonprofit processes and collaborating with local markets. I believe it will help me advance my career in the United States in the future.”
Janet also added:
“While I don’t have anything concrete planned with the organization, I’ve offered to remain available as a resource for Lloyd Lending Library, as has Thao (a fellow AMA PDX Agency volunteer team member), who’s interested in helping redesign their landing pages. We also provided the Lloyd EcoDistrict team with a lot of resources and notes – an overwhelming amount, I’m sure– that they can use moving forward.”
Final Reflections
Elena shared a few closing thoughts on the AMA PDX Agency experience:
“I want to say thank you to AMA PDX for this experience. It was very important to me [both professionally and personally],” she shared. “As a marketer and immigrant building my career in the U.S., this opportunity allowed me to learn from local marketers, better understand the nonprofit landscape, and feel more connected to my community. It reminded me how powerful collaboration and shared purpose can be.”
Want to Get Involved?
This feature closes out the AMA PDX Agency 2025 season, but the impact doesn’t stop here. This is just one example of how volunteer marketers can grow professionally while creating impact in their communities. We can’t wait to see where these volunteers go next—and how they’ll continue to build on the experience gained through AMA PDX Agency.
AMA PDX Agency will return in 2026, with more opportunities for volunteers to grow, give back, and connect with nonprofits that are changing lives in Portland and beyond! Stay tuned for details on the 2026 season—we’d love to have you be part of it.
Volunteer for the 2026 season – apply now!
Apply for pro bono support for your nonprofit – apply now!
Follow along on the AMA PDX blog and social channels for more volunteer spotlights and project updates