Amanda’s passion is helping libraries advance so they can create meaningful impact in their communities. Since 2002, Amanda has served as a consultant and facilitator, working with libraries on strategic planning, fundraising, organizational development, and capacity building (check out Fast Forward Libraries). Currently, Amanda is the Program Officer for The Lumpkin Family Foundation based in central Illinois. She loves melding her library and philanthropy knowledge – a “philanthro-brarian.” Previously, she was Head of the Adult Division at the Decatur (Illinois) Public Library and the Director of the Helen Matthes Library in Effingham, Illinois.
Amanda is a frequent presenter at library and foundation conferences and workshops, as well as an instructor and guest speaker for LIS and business/management courses. Amanda has twice been elected to the Board of the Illinois Library Association (ILA), most recently completing a three-year term in 2016. Amanda was also selected as a member of the first class of Synergy: The Illinois Library Leadership Initiative and one of only two librarians ever selected for participation in Leadership Illinois. Amanda holds a B.A. and an M.A. in history from Eastern Illinois University and an M.S. in library and information science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
You can find out more about Amanda on LinkedIn.