Update on Terri Bonoff – Atlanta Jewish Times

Atlanta is full of interesting “influencers,” some of whom are driven to create, build empires, advocate, study science, and/or just have fun and live the good life. Lean in to hear some of the “off-the-cuff” remarks about what makes our star, Terri Bonoff, tick.

Terri grew up in the west suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, as a third-generation entrepreneur. She had a 20-year business career, including leadership positions in apparel retail, toy manufacturing (Tonka Toys), and software distribution.

Bonoff chose to leave the corporate world to stay home with four teenagers. When the three left for college, Terri ran for political office. She won a seat in the state Senate, where she served from 2005 to 2016, leaving her position as chair of higher education and workforce development. Terri left the Senate when her husband, Matthew Knopf, joined Delta Air Lines as senior vice president and deputy general counsel and moved to Atlanta.

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After leading a purpose-built school project in partnership with Georgia Tech, Terri joined Jewish Family & Career Services as CEO in June 2019. She continues to lead the nonprofit whose mission is to transform lives. Terri serves on the board of directors of Alliance Theatre and is a trustee of her alma mater, Clark University, Worcester, Mass.

Read on to see how Terri’s life compares to that of a Danish politician.

A funny thing people don’t know about me is…
I was a coxswain on the women’s rowing team in college.

My children would say…
Stay in your lane, Mom!

You won’t find me…
Complaining about the heat in Atlanta.

Atlanta vs. Minneapolis?
Minneapolis and Atlanta are so different! Atlanta has come out of the pandemic stronger. I loved Minneapolis and now I love Atlanta! We have found this city to be welcoming and a true home.

I’m streaming and reading…
I’m streaming the original “Sex and The City” because it’s the perfect summer escape and I’m reading whatever my book club picks! I just finished “James” by Percival Everett.

If a film were made about my life, ________ would portray me.
After leaving office, I wrote a book called “Uniting the Middle.” My sons work in the entertainment industry and I encourage them to do something in that field! The Netflix series “Borgen” really touched me because it tells the story of Birgitte Nyborg, a Danish politician who faced many challenges due to her centrist ideology and her leadership role as a woman.

I would look back and say to 21-year-old Terri…
Have faith in your path: everything is going as planned. You are going to have a great life!

My husband said I was becoming stupid when…
I’m celebrating with my family and closest friends, and we start dancing.

The most important thing in running a nonprofit organization is…
Because JF&CS is a faith-based organization strongly supported by the generous Jewish philanthropic community, I hold sacred the importance of keeping our promise to the community. The challenge is both to fulfill the mission and to maintain financial sustainability.

The most exotic vacation…
Matthew and I love exploring the beautiful cities and countrysides of Europe. Staying in a boutique hotel along the waterway in Venice seemed romantic and exotic. In fact, since we have children and grandchildren who live far away, we spend most of our travels with them.