Pam Bates-Executive Director
Pam Bates has called Birmingham home since 1995. A graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi, Pam is married to her husband, Carl, and together they have two children, Matt (Keri) and Anna (Mitchell), along with four cherished grandchildren.
Pam helped found East Lake Initiative in 2010 with a vision to see families move from crisis to thriving. Under her leadership, the organization—now ELI Thrive—has received numerous honors, including the Excellence in Affordable Housing Award from the Low-Income Housing Coalition of Alabama (LIHCA) and the Birmingham Business Journal Nonprofit of the Year Award.
Before serving as Executive Director, Pam spent many years on staff at Christ Church United Methodist as Director of Community Development, Missions Minister, and Student Minister. Her lifelong passion for holistic community development continues to drive her work today.
Pam loves to travel and has been part of mission trips around the world, with Rwanda and India holding special places in her heart. A night owl by nature, she’s happiest with a Caramel Macchiato or Honey Citrus Mint Tea in hand, connecting with others and turning ideas into action.
If she were a superhero, Pam’s superpower would be turning conversations into causes and causes into change. She loves seeing families move from crisis to thriving—hearing their stories, celebrating their successes, and watching them build joyful, lasting stability.
She’s most excited about the future of ELI Thrive: “I love seeing potential in every person — and building pathways to make that potential a reality.”