Amanda Hofmann-Handy, Ed.D.

Dr. Hofmann-Handy has been serving in the nonprofit community for over twenty years. Her roots are in wildlife conservation, which later broadened to include natural resource conservation, management, and the development of policies that reinforce environmental stewardship. As her work evolved, it became increasingly informed by the human experience—understanding that the well-being of people and planet are inseparable. This led her to integrate principles from the social sciences, anthropology, and community-based education into her approach. Interwoven throughout her experience has been the growing emphasis on public education design, serving as the cornerstone of her philosophy: “Education is the key to conservation.”

Throughout her journey, Dr. Hofmann-Handy has lived and practiced servant leadership across the country in diverse ecosystems and communities. Her work has included curating a living collection within a renowned science center and serving as executive director for a children’s museum—spaces that bridge science with cultural storytelling and collective memory, as well as leading the program team for the Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, supporting a vast and diverse jurisdiction while contributing to curriculum design for the national organization.

Most recently, she served as the Chief Executive Officer, in support of this nation’s largest urban preserve. Her work reflects a deep commitment to inclusive, culturally responsive, and community rooted learning experiences.

Dr. Hofmann-Handy’s doctorate is based on the study of organizational change and leadership, with a focus on how people and systems adapt and grow. Her graduate studies centered on educational design and technology, while her undergraduate work spanned zoology, biology, natural resource conservation, and environmental studies—complemented by an enduring interest in anthropology and social inquiry.

In her personal time, Dr. Hofmann-Handy enjoys spending time with her high school- aged daughter and is an avid holistic gardener. She finds joy in nurturing pollinators and learning from ethnobotanical practices, weaving together ecological and cultural knowledge. Her home—and her professional practice—is filled with warmth, reflection, and a deep sense of care for both people and the planet.