These are the words of the leaders, partners, and colleagues who have worked alongside Amanda — in their own voice, on their own terms.
“She’s trustworthy, responsive, and did an excellent job promoting Hands and its mission. She’s the kind of person you want representing your organization — engaged, reliable, and genuinely invested in the work. The impression she left was a strong one.”Helene van Beuren
“I witnessed her extraordinary leadership as she revitalized our nonprofit. She not only turned it around, but expanded our impact in the schools in the Caribbean islands we served. Amanda’s efforts led us to become an honored partner with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. Her vision not only transformed us internally but also positioned us on a respected international platform.”Leah Garratt
“She brings a rare combination of high-level critical evaluation and genuine, boots-on-the-ground presence.”
What stands out most is her deep insights and intentional, culturally humble approach, driven by razor-sharp critical thinking. While some partner agencies may subscribe to globally scaled models, she has the intellectual rigor and clarity to question whether those frameworks actually serve the community. Her approach completely rejects the hero complex. Instead of imposing external, foreign ideas on local management teams, she prioritizes country sovereignty and local expertise. She commendably balances a research-informed mindset with deep respect for local contextual realities, ensuring that her thinking is practical, respectful, and designed for true sustainability.
One key defining testament to her impact is the conceptualization and success of the Early Pages Programme. Rather than taking the easier, well-trodden path of importing an off-the-shelf program, she made the deliberate choice to co-design a grassroots initiative directly within the OECS region. By leaning heavily into the unique local culture and context, she ensured that the local leadership felt complete ownership over the program. This strategic decision directly led to the program’s impact potential.
It is rare to find a leader who possesses both the analytical capacity to critique complex frameworks and the emotional intelligence to honor the unique identity of the schools and communities she serves. She is a deeply valued colleague who elevates both the people and the projects around her.
Rafer Gordon“Amanda has a rare combination of strategic clarity and relational intelligence that she brings to every aspect of her work. Any organization fortunate enough to work with her will benefit enormously from her expertise and her commitment to results.”Annette Naif
“Amanda is an extremely bright woman. She’s a natural leader with an excellent work ethic and the highest level of commitment. Her attention to detail is impeccable and her ability to communicate effectively is one of her greatest assets.”Dara Burke
“Amanda is a strategic thinker with tactical sensibilities — she has the ability to view the entire landscape of an organization and translate that into actionable activities with measurable outcomes. A keen thinker and tireless doer.”Marc Weiss
“Amanda is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. Whether navigating complex international operations, expanding literacy programs across the Eastern Caribbean, or supporting a grieving family, she brings excellence, warmth, and dedication to everything she does.”Wally Beddoe
“What stands out most is how clearly Amanda communicates her vision. She comes to the table with a strong sense of purpose, a clear expected outcome, and a genuine understanding of who she is trying to reach.”Dionya Kelley
“Amanda’s ability to connect with people and focus us all on a singular mission was truly amazing. She increased our productivity and I left every meeting more motivated and energized. She addressed our disorganized processes head on and completely modernized and streamlined our operations.”Anne
“Amanda’s brilliance lies in her unwavering focus. She identifies exactly what an organization needs and commits wholeheartedly, with a sharp intelligence that brings clarity and a dedication that made all the difference.”Leah Garratt
Dale Robertson worked alongside Amanda as a co-inventor on a patent spanning technology, engineering, mathematics, and human application. As President & CEO of the Grand Rapids Public Museum and a collaborator on community-building work, his perspective is that of a peer — not a client or supporter, but someone who created something alongside her.
“Amanda is fearless when it comes to seeking out experts, information, and potential partners and supporters. Her core curiosity is an asset and she uses it to decode all the information on the path to making sound judgment and offering solid advice.”
“Amanda processes information very quickly. She also possesses broad knowledge on virtually any topic. Her innate curiosity keeps that knowledge base growing. She can take on virtually any project, make sense of it, relate it to the realities of the marketplace, and propose viable and workable solutions. The patent encompasses technology, engineering, math — all combined for a product touching human needs. She was able to synthesize all the pieces together while working cooperatively with the partners and experts to reach the patent goal.”Dale Robertson
In May 2020, Jake Beddoe — a Peace Corps volunteer who had worked closely with Hands Across the Sea in the Eastern Caribbean — passed away. His family reached out after receiving donations made in his honor. What followed became one of the most meaningful engagements of Amanda’s tenure as Executive Director.
Amanda personally reached out to the Beddoe family, attended Jake’s celebration of life — traveling to Connecticut — and led the creation of the Jake Beddoe Fund: the first-ever named charity fund in Hands Across the Sea’s history. A process that could have been a difficult administrative exercise became, under her leadership, a tribute that turned grief into purpose.
“Amanda flew in to our hometown to attend Jake’s celebration of life, which we held a year later due to covid. This tremendous act of commitment made such a lasting impression on my entire family and was so greatly appreciated. She remained focused and provided great direction, with care and compassion, throughout the entire process.”Niki Beddoe
“Her empathy and professionalism during that time meant the world to our family. Amanda is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met — a sweetheart with true integrity and a servant’s heart.”Wally Beddoe · Director, Volvo Cars USA
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