Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Websites
Awards
Affiliations
OTHER
Languages
Timeline
Generic
Amanda Fernández

Amanda Fernández

Belmont,MA

Summary

Social entrepreneur and CEO of Latinos for Education, the first Latino-founded and led national organization dedicated to advancing Latino leadership and policy in education. With over 25 years of cross-sector experience, I transformed the organization into a national force in advocacy, policy, and leadership development, overseeing a $6M+ operating budget. Previous senior roles at Teach for America, The Bridgespan Group, and Deloitte demonstrate a values-driven and innovative approach to advancing equity and opportunity for the Latino community and all low-income students in the U.S.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience

Work History

CEO and FOUNDER

Latinos for Education
01.2015 - Current
  • Achieved consistent year over year growth through strong fundraising and program delivery raising over 30 million dollars since founding.
  • Launched three regions (Massachusetts, Houston, and The Bay) that are each meeting fundraising goals.
  • Elevated brand visibility and market share with launch of highly successful digital marketing campaign reaching more than 60,000 across platforms and 10K newsletter subscribers
  • Created a positive work culture, resulting in increased employee satisfaction and retention rates. Consistently achieving strong engagement scores.
  • Fostered collaborative environment among staff, promoting professional development and performance excellence.
  • Led organizational growth through innovative partnerships with educational institutions and community organizations. Some examples include ISTE/Google, Study.com, Leadership for Educational Equity.
  • Engaged stakeholders in policy discussions, advocating for systemic changes in education access and resources resulting in legislation passed in Massachusetts in 2024.

VP Latino External Engagement

Teach for America
01.2010 - 08.2015
  • Lead national level external engagement and partnerships in the Latino community to support recruitment, development and advancement of Latino corps members, staff, and alumni.
  • Senior Advisor to recruitment team where an increase of 8 to 14% in Latino corps member representation was achieved
  • Lead the nation in creating an educator pathway for DACAmented young people securing millions of dollars to expand the program to support hundreds of diverse educators
  • Built multiple partnerships increasing engagement and brand awareness for the organization

Director

The Bridgespan Group
01.2007 - 02.2009
  • Served as the liaison between strategic consulting and executive search teams on issues of talent management and organization development
  • Developed Talent Toolkit that was featured as one of the top downloaded tools on the Bridgespan website
  • Developed Bridgespan Partner recruitment process; increasing diversity of the Partner talent pool
  • Key lead in launching diversity efforts within the organization
  • Case team member supporting nonprofit clients leading for impact with a focus on talent management and strategy implementation plans for numerous nonprofit clients

Director

Hudson Highland Group
01.2004 - 12.2006
  • Designed and implemented competency-based performance management process for the North America business reaching 1,000 staff members
  • Led multidisciplinary project team in the development of a global values initiative and senior leadership competency model.
  • Developed the diversity consulting business methodology, processes and service delivery model.

Senior Consultant

Deloitte Consulting
01.1997 - 01.2003
  • Project leader on client engagements focus on human capital for multi-sector clients including, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, financial services, and technology. Lead national efforts for diversity initiatives in North America.
  • Designed and implemented a global competency model and performance management process for a major pharmaceutical company
  • Created diversity and inclusion strategy for major client
  • Project led and implemented diversity strategy for Deloitte contributing to multiple awards such as “Fortune Best Companies to Work For”
  • Led the implementation of diversity education for Deloitte staff of 20K

Education

Master of Science - Education

Fordham University
New York, NY
08.2001

Bachelor's Degree - Communications

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL
12.1991

Skills

  • Strategic Planning
  • Fundraising
  • Crisis management
  • Innovation and Adaptability
  • Effective communicator and public speaker
  • Systems Level Thinking
  • Budgeting and Fiscal Management
  • Team Building and Development
  • Coalition Building

Accomplishments

    In 2023, Amanda was appointed to the Massachusetts Governor’s Latino Empowerment Council, advising on strategies to increase economic opportunities for the state’s Latino community. Prior to this, she co-chaired the education committee on Governor Maura Healey’s transition team. Her commitment to education is further demonstrated by her previous service as a Trustee of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. She has served on numerous other Boards including Roxbury Community College, The Lynch Family Foundation and KIPP Massachusetts. Amanda’s dedication to educational equity and leadership has been recognized through several accolades.

Awards

ASU GSV Entrepreneur of Color Award (first Latina in history), Social Impact Award Boston, Aspen McNulty Prize Winner for Social Entrepreneurship, Boston University College of Education Commencement Speaker, 100 Most Influential Latinos in MA, Latina Circle Women to Watch, Amplify Latinx 100 Influential Latinos 2024, 100 Influential National Latino Leaders, Women's History Month Honoree, MA Trial Courts, 

Affiliations

  • Lynch Family Foundation
  • Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Trustee
  • Roxbury Community College Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
  • KIPP Massachusetts Trustee
  • Achieve Mission Trustee
  • Oiste Board Member
  • RISE Colorado Advisor
  • Innovare Advisor

OTHER

  • Future Ed Fellow
  • Aspen Institute Pahara Fellow
  • Community Learning Collaborative Co-Founder
  • Founder, Belmont MA Family Engagement Network

Languages

Spanish
Full Professional

Timeline

CEO and FOUNDER

Latinos for Education
01.2015 - Current

VP Latino External Engagement

Teach for America
01.2010 - 08.2015

Director

The Bridgespan Group
01.2007 - 02.2009

Director

Hudson Highland Group
01.2004 - 12.2006

Senior Consultant

Deloitte Consulting
01.1997 - 01.2003

Master of Science - Education

Fordham University

Bachelor's Degree - Communications

Western Illinois University